Russia has banned Indian marine products imports from the beginning of this month. The ban comes in the wake of a threat from European Union that imports would not be allowed in the absence of catch certificates. These two developments together with the US move to maintain the 0.76% anti-dumping duty on shrimp imports from India have put under cloud the country's target of exporting marine products worth Rs 10,000 crore this year.
The Russian ban, alleged industry sources, happened due to gross negligence by the top brass of Marine Products Export Development Authority (Mpeda) and the commerce ministry. In order to enhance imports from India, a delegation from Russia had visited the country in December 2008 and insisted on signing a protocol for doing business with New Delhi. Indian exporters alleged that a weak follow-up action by Mpeda was the main reason the protocol agreement could not be signed. Industry sources said this was a serious setback.
Though the quantity of marine products India exported to Russia was small, the could have become a big market for Indian seafood items if timely follow-up action was done, they said. Exports of marine products to Russia grew 110% in 2008-09. Total exports in 2007-08 were 4,500 tonnes, valued at Rs 35 crore. This went up to 9,400 tonnes, valued at Rs 115 crore, in 2008-09. According to leading exporters, the growth could have been in the range of 100-110% this year, too.
India has been losing market share in its traditional strongholds like the EU, the US and Japan for the last four-five years. However, exports to South Asia, China and the West Asia had registered significant growth in quantity and value terms.
Source : fnbnews
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