Marine exports double this year in Karnataka

Mangalore, August 24: At a time when marine products exports and earnings in India has crossed $ 2.8 billion during 2010-11, the Marine exports including fishmeal and fish oil exports from Karnataka during 2010-11 have doubled compared to last year, with total exports estimated at Rs 681 crore in 2010-11 as against Rs 392 crore in 2009-10.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry Assistant Director Rajakumar Naik said in 2010-11, the state had exported one lakh metric tonne of fish meals, fish oil and frozen fish, thus earning an income of Rs 681 crore. The export products include 52 per cent of fish meal, 13 per cent of fish oil and 35 per cent of frozen fish. The State's exports of fishmeal had doubled as it exported fishmeal estimated at Rs 442 crore in 2010-11 as against Rs 225 crore in 2009-10. Fishmeal and fish oil account for 65 per cent of the exports from the State.

In 2009-10, 57,359 tonne marine products were exported and the earnings was Rs 392 crore. Few export earnings included dried fish meal—23,120 tonne and the earning was Rs 11,295 lakh, Frozen Mackeral—7520 tonne and the earnings was Rs 5317 lakh, Frozen cuttle fish—2832 tonne and the earnings was Rs 3411 lakh, Ribbon fish—3,611 and the earnings was 2,484 lakh. In 2008-09, about 33,210 tonne marine products were exported from the state with earnings of Rs 23,890 lakh while in 2007-08, 26,138 tonne marine products were exported and the income fetched was Rs 16,286.

Naik said in 2010-11, Rani fish or “madmal” (in Tulu) landings too were good. It is used to manufacture “surimi” or fish paste especially in Japan, where it was used to make imitation of shrimps, lobsters, and crab claws. Mackerel, earlier was not being exported.

However, now there is a good demand from Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan. In fact, ornamental fish worth Rs 75 lakh to Rs one crore is exported from the state.

There were 26 fishmeal and fish oil units in Karnataka, of which 13 are registered with MPEDA. Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts had 14 frozen marine food exporting units of which nine were in Mangalore, one in Thadadi (in Kumta), one in Udupi and one is coming up at Kota in Udupi district. Of which, seven frozen marine exporting units cater to European standards and are situated at Baikampady, Ullal, Kota, Kundapur, Malpe and Tadadi. Of Karnataka's coastline, the major frozen marine food industries are situated in Dakshina Kannda and Udupi districts. Seventy five per cent of the fish landings were in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, namely in Mangalore, Malpe, Gangolli, Naik added.

By 2015, the target is to export marine products worth $ 4 billion. The target for Karnataka for 2011-12 is to export Rs 1.20 lakh metric tonne marine products and earn Rs 900 crore, he said. “There is high demand for chilled fish and ornamental fish from Karnataka. If air cargo complex comes up at Mangalore airport, then export of marine products will get further boost,” he added.