Odisha’s Seafood Exports Face Crisis Over US Tariff Hike

Bhubaneswar : Odisha, one of India’s leading seafood exporters, sends nearly 70% of its shrimp and marine products to the United States, earning about ₹2,000 crore annually in foreign exchange. However, US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian seafood has alarmed exporters and farmers alike, as such high duties make it nearly impossible to compete in the American market.

Shrimp accounts for the largest share of Odisha’s total exports to the US, meaning the state could suffer severe economic losses if trade slows. The livelihood of over 10,000 shrimp farmers, who primarily grow for export, is at risk. The tariff disparity is stark—while Ecuador faces a 15% duty and Indonesia 19%, India now faces 50%, putting it at a major disadvantage.

Ongoing India-US trade talks have seen five rounds without resolution, with the sixth round scheduled in New Delhi this month. Until an agreement is reached, exporters remain uncertain, and many have already stopped taking US orders. Alongside farmers, workers in seafood processing units also face the threat of job loss, while Odisha’s foreign exchange earnings are set to decline sharply.