Naidu seeks Centre’s support for A.P.’s aqua sector hit by U.S. tariffs

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Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has written to the Union government seeking urgent support for the State’s aqua sector, which is reeling under severe losses due to the tariffs imposed by the United States of America (U.S.A.) on shrimp imports.

Highlighting that Andhra Pradesh accounts for 80% of India’s shrimp exports and 34% of marine exports valued at ₹21,246 crore annually, Mr. Naidu cautioned that about 2.5 lakh farmer families and 30 lakh people dependent on allied activities are under distress. He estimated sector-wide losses at nearly ₹25,000 crore, with 50% of export orders cancelled and 2,000 containers facing a tariff burden of about ₹600 crore.

In separate letters to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Fisheries Minister Rajeev Ranjan Singh, the Chief Minister urged policy interventions at the national level. His demands included a 240-day moratorium on loan and interest repayments, interest subsidies, and a temporary waiver of 5% GST on frozen shrimp. He also appealed for interim financial relief to exporters, support from banks, and clarity on tariff and tax relief schemes.

Mr. Naidu recommended diversifying export markets through Free Trade Agreements with the European Union, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. He said exporters were ready to meet international demand, particularly in Europe.

On the domestic front, the Chief Minister called for promoting seafood consumption, noting that India’s per capita intake is only 12–13 kg compared to the global average of 20–30 kg. He proposed a ₹100 crore corpus fund, cold storages, hygienic seafood markets, and campaigns to encourage fish and shrimp consumption.

For logistics, he requested dedicated trains to transport aqua products to North India, alongside strengthening cold-chain and packaging infrastructure. He also urged the establishment of regional ICAR research centres in the State.