Export performance of Indian ornamental fish - an analysis of growth, destination and diversity

Abstract

Ornamental fish trade is a multibillion dollar industry globally,with an annual turnover of more than 6 billion US$. India still remains a sleeping giant with a contribution of less than 1% of the global ornamental fish trade. The present study examines the export performance of Indian ornamental fish trade based on the data pertaining from 1991 to 2009. Fisheries exports form a lion’s share (51% on an average) of GDP in fisheries sector. The share of ornamental fish exports to the total value of fisheries export has increased from 0.04% in 1991 to 0.15% in 2008. Indian ornamental fish export registered a higher positive compound growth rate of 14.4% in terms of export value, 12.1% in terms of quantity exported and 2.1% in terms of unit value. India can be considered as one of the gold mines for ornamental fishes considering the existing potential. One hundred eighty seven species are traded from India, of which 85% are collected from the wild. The new schemes of the Marine Products Export Development Agency (MPEDA) and research support can soon make India a major player in international ornamental fish trade thereby, greatly increasethe foreign exchange earnings, employment and rural livelihood.