Budget 2026–27 Boosts Agri and Food Value Chains with Push for Seafood, Nuts and High-Value Crops

A key announcement for the fisheries sector is the increase in the duty-free import limit for inputs used in seafood processing from 1% to 3% of the FOB export value. The move is expected to provide much-needed flexibility to seafood exporters by easing access to critical raw materials and specialized inputs, lowering production costs, and enhancing global competitiveness—especially at a time when exporters are facing pressure from high international tariffs. Industry stakeholders believe the step will help expand India’s share of value-added seafood products, which currently account for just about 11% of total seafood exports, significantly lower than competing markets such as Vietnam and Thailand. With seafood exports exceeding $7 billion annually, the relaxation is seen as timely support for a sector that contributes substantially to agricultural gross value added. Reacting to the announcement, Deepanshu Manchanda, Managing Director at Zappfresh, said the enhanced duty-free ...