Australia lifts ban on import of unpeeled Indian shrimp

Although this step by Australia opens a new market for shrimp farmers, the volumes are not very high. | Photo credit: H.VIBHU

Australia’s lifting of the ban on the import of shelled shrimp from India gives a respite to the country’s shrimp farmers, who are suffering heavy losses due to the 50 percent tariffs imposed by the United States.

Although this step by Australia opens a new market for shrimp farmers, the volumes are not very high. The Far Eastern country imported 38,000 tons of shrimp in 2022. But it would certainly fit into the shrimp industry’s overall plan to diversify its export markets in the long term to offset the losses it has suffered as a result of the U.S. tariffs. Indian exporters will have to compete for this market with Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and China.

Rider

However, the export option comes with a rider. All export shipments must be tested for white spot and yellow head diseases by a local competent authority. “Afterwards, when the consignments arrive in Australia, they are quarantined and a sample is retested for the diseases. If they pass the test, they are allowed in,” Ravi Kumar Yellanki, the managing director of Vaisakhi Bio-Marine and Vaisakhi Bio-Resources, and the president of the All India Shrimp Hatchery Association, told IPS. (AISHA). business line.

The export ban came into effect in 2016 and exports were reinstated in 2018. However, Indian exporters have not focused much on this market as the US market looked very lucrative.

Andhra Pradesh IT and Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh, who is currently visiting Australia, announced on Tuesday evening that the host country has granted its first import approval for unpeeled Indian shrimp.

The announcement comes as part of his ongoing visit to Australia, where he met with government officials, investors and the seafood trade.

Australia had long restricted imports of unshelled shrimp from India after the white spot virus was found in previous shipments. This ban has been an ongoing challenge for Indian exporters, especially shrimp farmers and traders from northern Andhra, who are trying to regain access to the Australian market after the setback in the US market.

“The approval will provide a significant boost to Indian aquaculture exporters and reduce over-dependence on a single market,” he said.

“A long-standing hurdle for Indian seafood exporters has been Australia’s restrictions on shelled shrimp due to the detection of white spot virus. Today, the first import approval for Indian shrimp has been granted,” Lokesh said in a post on X.

Published on October 22, 2025