Key facts
- India exported US$623 million of frozen fish in FY2024-25 (mpeda.gov.in).
- Largest destinations by value: unavailable
- 2 production clusters mapped, in Andhra Pradesh; Gujarat; Odisha; Tamil Nadu; West Bengal, Gujarat; Kerala; Maharashtra; Karnataka; TN.
- Market guides for 24 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, MPEDA registration, EIC export health certificate, HACCP, ISO 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 40' reefer (about 25-27 MT) per species or mixed-species load (typical).
Product overview
MPEDA reports frozen-fish exports of US$ 622.60 million in FY2024-25, India's second-largest seafood item after shrimp. Catches come mainly from the Arabian Sea fleets of Gujarat (Veraval, Porbandar), Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala, with east-coast landings in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Leading species for export are ribbonfish (hairtail), croaker, Indian mackerel, sardine, reef cod/grouper, pomfret, threadfin bream, seer fish (king mackerel) and barracuda. Most is exported whole round, block-frozen or IQF, to China and South-East Asia for reprocessing and wet-market retail, and to the Middle East and Africa for direct consumption.
Supply is seasonal: the west-coast monsoon fishing ban (roughly June-July) pauses landings, and catch composition varies by season, so contracts usually specify species, size range and a shipment window.
HS note: Fillets and fish meat fall under 0304; squid and cuttlefish under 0307. Use the species-specific 6-digit line.
Specifications
| Form | Whole round, gutted, or HGT; block or IQF (typical) |
|---|---|
| Size grading | Per species, e.g. ribbonfish 200-300 / 300-500 / 500 g up; pomfret 4-6 / 6-8 pcs/kg (typical) |
| Glaze | 5-10% (typical) |
| Storage | -18 °C or colder |
| Histamine (scombroid species) | Within destination limits (EU ≤ 100-200 mg/kg sampling plan) (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Ribbonfish (Trichiurus)
Main China/SE Asia species; whole round, sized.
Croaker / jew fish
Whole round for China and Asia.
Indian mackerel and sardine
Whole round, block or IQF; Middle East, Africa, SE Asia.
Pomfret (silver / black)
Premium whole fish for GCC and diaspora retail.
Reef cod, seer fish, barracuda
Whole or steaks for GCC and food service.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Block frozen | 10-20 kg master cartons | Most common for whole round |
| IQF | 1-10 kg bags in master cartons | Retail and food service |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 18-22 MT · 40' HC about 25-27 MT. Reefer at -18 °C; block frozen loads heavier than IQF
Customisation: Species mix, size grades, IQF retail packs, gutted / steak cuts
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Gujarat
Gir Somnath (Veraval), Porbandar, Valsad
Largest marine fish landing state; ribbonfish and croaker
Maharashtra
Ratnagiri, Raigad, Mumbai
Pomfret, mackerel, ribbonfish
Kerala
Kollam, Kochi (Ernakulam), Kozhikode
Sardine, mackerel, seer fish
Karnataka
Dakshina Kannada (Mangaluru), Udupi
Mackerel, sardine
Market requirements by region
European Union
EU requires an EU-listed establishment, a TRACES NT health certificate and an IUU catch certificate for wild-caught fish.
Gulf (GCC)
GCC buyers favour pomfret, reef cod, seer fish and mackerel; Saudi SFDA requires an import permit for fish.
Southeast Asia
Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia buy whole frozen fish for reprocessing and wet markets; Singapore accepts only SFA-approved source establishments.
East Asia
China is the main buyer of ribbonfish and croaker for reprocessing; processing plants must be registered with GACC.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • EIC-approved processing establishment (HACCP)
- • Histamine and heavy-metal testing per destination
- • Size and species verification at stuffing
- • Reefer temperature log
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • MPEDA registration
- • EIC export health certificate
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • BRCGS Food Safety
- • Halal certificate
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • EIC health certificate
- • Catch certificate (EU IUU regulation)
- • Certificate of analysis
- • MPEDA registration reference
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Frozen fish | 622.6 | verified | mpeda.gov.in |
Top destinations: unavailable
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
Which frozen fish species do you supply?
Ribbonfish, croaker, Indian mackerel, sardine, pomfret, reef cod, seer fish, barracuda and threadfin bream, subject to seasonal availability.
Is there a fishing ban season in India?
Yes, an annual monsoon fishing ban applies on each coast (roughly June-July on the west coast), so shipments are planned around it.
Do you provide catch certificates for the EU?
Wild-caught fish for the EU is shipped with an IUU catch certificate and an EIC health certificate from an EU-listed plant.
What packing formats are available?
Block frozen in 10-20 kg cartons or IQF in retail bags inside master cartons.
Request a quote for Frozen Fish (Ribbonfish, Croaker, Mackerel, Pomfret, Reef Cod)
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
