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Next wave in aquaculture: How feed innovation can boost India’s shrimp exports
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Tuesday, 02 December, 2025, 16 : 00 PM [IST]
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Divya Kumar Gulati
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India’s shrimp sector stands at an inflection point. In FY 2023–24, the country exported 17,35,286 MT of frozen shrimp valued at US $8,094.31 million. Yet growth has been modest, with a CAGR of just 0.8% in overall shrimp export value. Meanwhile, national ambitions remain far more aggressive. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a ?20,050-crore investment is driving what is being positioned as “Aquaculture 2.0”—a transformation aimed at doubling aquaculture productivity, increasing seafood exports to ?1 lakh crore, and generating 55 lakh jobs by 2029.
Within this evolving landscape, feed innovation is emerging as one of the most critical levers to unlock the next wave of shrimp export growth.
Why Feed Innovation Is Central to India’s Shrimp Future
Feed formulation directly influences farm productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability. The feed conversion ratio (FCR)—the amount of feed required to produce one kilogram of shrimp—is a decisive factor in controlling input costs and minimising pond pollution. Lowering FCR through advanced feed technology can significantly improve farm margins while reducing nutrient discharge.
India’s shift to Penaeus vannamei (white-leg shrimp) nearly tripled export earnings,4 but this species demands precise, nutrient-dense, and stage-specific feed. As exporters increasingly serve discerning markets such as Japan, the EU, and the US, consistency, biosecurity, and traceability become non-negotiable—areas where modern feed innovation plays a pivotal role.
Global competitiveness is also tightening. Countries like Ecuador and Vietnam have already advanced rapidly in feed technology and integrated farm management. Without similar innovation, India risks losing market share despite its natural advantages in coastline, climate, and skilled manpower.
Feed Innovation as a Driver of Export Competitiveness
Feed constitutes 50–70% of total shrimp production cost. Improving economic FCR from 2.5 to 1.5 not only boosts profitability but also enables exporters to offer competitive pricing globally.
Superior feed also strengthens immunity, stabilises pond conditions, and reduces mortality—critical in disease-prone clusters. This helps minimise antibiotic use, a major compliance factor for international buyers.
In premium markets, attributes such as size uniformity, shell strength, and colour consistency command higher prices. Feeds enriched with balanced amino acids, essential lipids, minerals, and functional additives directly improve these quality markers.
In this context, feed innovation is no longer merely a cost-saving tool it builds India’s export brand, helping the country align with the modern global trade paradigm, which values sustainability, traceability, and certification over sheer volume.
Innovating Across the Feed Value Chain India’s innovation roadmap spans three pillars: formulation, technology, and sustainability.
1. Advanced Formulation
- Precision nutrition tailored to local salinity and climatic variations
- Stable pellets designed for species-specific feeding patterns
- Alternative proteins such as insect meal, microbial proteins, and algae to reduce fishmeal dependency
2. Functional Feeds
Probiotics, enzymes, prebiotics, and immune-modulators can dramatically reduce disease incidence, including threats like white spot syndrome, which has historically caused large-scale farmer losses.
3. Technology Integration - Automated feeders with real-time water sensors
- AI-driven feed optimisation
- Data-based pond management
Such technologies minimise waste, improve water quality, and ensure consistent growth.
4. Sustainability & Traceability
To access premium markets, feed producers must align with global benchmarks such as ASC and BAP. Responsible sourcing and full traceability from ingredient to pond are now essential components of export success.
Integrating Feed Innovation into India’s Export Growth Agenda
Feed innovation fits seamlessly into the broader objectives of PMMSY and the country’s blue economy strategy. It supports:
- Higher productivity per hectare
- Climate-resilient farming
- Waste reduction and environmental stewardship
Greater collaboration will be vital. Feed companies, research institutions, hatcheries, and exporters must co-develop region-specific feed solutions. Policy incentives, public–private partnerships, and targeted R&D investment will accelerate innovation. Farmer training in pond management and digital aquaculture will ensure on-ground adoption.
India’s shrimp journey—from small coastal farms to a global aquaculture powerhouse—has been remarkable. But maintaining global leadership requires a shift from volume-led growth to value-led growth. Feed innovation is the catalyst that can deliver this transformation.
By investing in advanced formulations, precision nutrition, smart technology, and sustainable practices, India can elevate itself from a high-volume exporter to a high-value, globally trusted producer—unlocking the next era of growth for its shrimp export industry.
(The author is chairman of CLFMA of India)
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