Andhra Pradesh aqua farmers on the edge as U.S. tariff hike comes into effect from April 5 midnight

Officials say seafood products stranded in various ports in the U.S. or are in transit will attract old tariff; Seafood Exporters’ Association of India leaders plan to meet the Prime Minister and the Union Commerce and Finance Ministers to explain them about the crisis triggered in the sector

With the 26% tariff hike announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on various Indian products, including seafood, expected to come into effect from the midnight of April 5, panic gripped the aquaculture sector over fall in exports from the State.

The authorities concerned reportedly clarified to the exporters that the stocks-in-transit would attract old tariffs.

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) exports various seafood products to more than one hundred countries, including the U.S., China, European Union, Vietnam, Japan, South-East Asia, Canada, Thailand, and Spain.

However, in the last 48 hours, export of aqua produce, which was one of the major products shipped to the U.S., had almost come to a grinding halt.

Exporters fear the likely impact of the tariffs on the stocks stranded at various ports in the U.S. and those in transit.

“Many containers from India have been shipped to New York, Los Angles, Samana, Miami and other ports in the last few days. Besides, huge stocks are on cargo vessels,” said an exporter from Andhra Pradesh.

“The officials concerned have sent a communication to the exporters and traders stating that the goods in transit will be levied old duty. This has provided us some respite,” said Sivarama Krishna, an aqua farmer from Krishna district.

“As per latest information, goods billed before April 5 would be exported at old rates. However, the stocks billed after the date shall be exported with increased tariffs,” a member of the Seafood Exporters’ Association of India (SEAI) told The Hindu on Saturday.

Meanwhile, members of the Andhra Pradesh SEAI are planning to meet the Prime Minister, and the Union Ministers of Commerce and Finance to discuss the situation.

“We are trying to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the other Ministers, and explain them about the crisis triggered by the increased tariff,” said SEAI A.P. president K. Anand Kumar.

“The aqua farmers, exporters and other stakeholders are in a state of panic. SEAI members will bring the problems to the notice of the Prime Minister and other Ministers,” Mr. Anand Kumar said.

Published - April 05, 2025 08:59 pm IST