Bhubaneswar, Sept. 23 (UDN): Odisha’s seafood trade with the Middle East took a hit amid the ongoing regional conflict, with the value of marine product exports to the war-affected market declining by 14.57% in 2025-26, resulting in an estimated Rs 23.40 crore reduction in export earnings, the state government informed the Assembly on Wednesday.
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Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokula Nanda Mallik disclosed the figures in a written reply to a question raised by Aali MLA Pratap Keshari Deb.
MPEDA Data Shows Regional Decline
According to data received from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Odisha recorded a 14.57% fall in the value of seafood exports to the Middle East during 2025-26 compared with the previous financial year.
The decline translated into an estimated loss of around Rs 23.40 crore in export earnings when compared with 2024-25.
The figures cover exports of fish, shrimp and other marine products shipped to the region.
Overall Seafood Exports Continue To Grow
Despite the setback in the Middle Eastern market, Odisha’s overall seafood export earnings increased during 2025-26.
The state recorded a 16.36% rise in the total value of seafood exports compared with the previous financial year. The overall increase amounted to Rs 763.94 crore, according to the minister’s reply.
The contrasting figures indicate that the decline in exports to the Middle East was limited to the affected market and did not result in a reduction in Odisha’s total seafood export earnings.
Conflict Disrupts Trade With Key Market
The Middle East remains an important overseas destination for seafood products, including shrimp and other marine commodities. Disruptions linked to regional conflict can affect shipping activity, market demand and trade flows.
For Odisha’s seafood sector, the fall in exports to the region represents a loss in one overseas market even as demand from other destinations helped sustain overall export growth during the year.
The government’s response did not indicate any decline in Odisha’s total seafood export value. Instead, the state registered a substantial increase in overall earnings despite the contraction recorded in the Middle Eastern market.