What is Marine Products Export Development Authority?

In order to promote marine exports from India to other countries, in 1972, Government of India established Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. MPEDA helps in guiding and supporting the development of the seafood industry in India along with the production, promotion, and marketing of quality products. Due to the efforts of MPEDA, India has witnessed a boost in economic growth, surge in seafood products trade, technological developments and economic developments for a sustainable livelihood.

Currently, India is the third largest fish producing country in the world, followed by China and Indonesia. It accounts for approx. 8 percent of the global fish production and ranks second in aquaculture production. Inland fish production has doubled over the past 9 years to 131 lakh tonnes in the country. 

Here is a list of top 12 Fish Producing countries in the world in case you’re curious! 

MPEDA’s Objectives

The main objectives of MPEDA are mentioned below:

• To boost the marine products industry by increasing export production in the international market as per the Foreign Trade Policy
• To accelerate export of all varieties of marine products
• To serve as an authority for informing about the new measures and standards for fishing vessels, storage units, processing plants, and conveyances
• To increase the economic stability for all stakeholders and create a sustainable livelihood
• To issue certificates for exporters, farmers, and fishermen so they can benefit from them and to help identify unauthorized, unreported, and unregulated fishing
• To upgrade technology and develop marketing strategies for the seafood industry
• To upgrade the production’s quality by setting up training and research centers
• To enact schemes to provide support for industries and stakeholders
• To create employment opportunities and increase economic standards

MPEDA’s Key Functions

The key functions of MPEDA are mentioned below:

• MPEDA promotes the export of marine products from India by organizing trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and promotional events
• It assists exporters and also provides them financial support
• It conducts market research aimed at identifying potential markets for indian seafood
• It is responsible for ensuring that the marine products exported from India meet the international quality and safety standards.
• It offers training and development of skills for various stakeholders in the seafood industry.
• It supports initiatives directed at research and development in order to improve production techniques and develop new-value added products in the marine sector. 

Concept of Value Addition

MPEDA has fixed a target of USD 1.6 billion for value-added seafood production by 2030. According to the official website of MPEDA, “Value addition is the enhancement added to a product or service by a company before the product is offered to customers. Products processed as “Ready to eat’, ‘Ready to cook’, ‘Ready to fry’, ‘thaw & eat’, ‘ Heat & Serve’ and ‘retail raw branded products’ and other fishery pharmaceutical and cosmetic products of high unit value in export market are considered as Value Added Products.”

List of Value Added Seafood Items by MPEDA

A. Shrimp Products

• Breaded And Battered Shrimp
• IQF Marinated Shrimp
• Skewered Shrimp
• Stretched Shrimp (Nobashi)
• AFD Shrimp, AFD Powder
• Blanched/ Cooked Shrimp
• IQF Head-On/ Headless /Butterfly cooked/ blanched shrimp
• IQF Peeled Tail-on cooked shrimp
• Cooked salad shrimp
• Cooked and peeled shrimp
• Sushi
• Shrimp Pickle
• IQF Tray pack shrimp
• Shrimp Curry

B. Cephalopods Products

• Double Skinned Cuttlefish IQF Sashimi Grade
• IQF Cooked/ Blanched squid Cuttlefish filets Sashimi grade
• Cuttlefish strips blanched
• Squid strips blanched
• Cuttlefish Pine Cut/ Diamond Cut
• Stuffed Squid IQF Tray Pack
• Squid Tube Tray Pack
• Squid Ring Blanched IQF
• IQF Tray Pack Squid
• Cuttlefish Skewers
• Vacuum Skin Packed Squid & Cuttlefish Products in trays
• Marinated Squid
• Battered and breaded Cephalopod products
• AFD Cuttlefish/Squid

C. Finfish products

• Fish pickles
• Fish curry Frozen Fish Filets
• Fish Loins/ Fish Steaks
• Breaded fish fingers
• Breaded fish filets
• Tray pack fish
• Pre-cooked Loins
• Fish powder
• Fish soup

D. Other items

• Pasteurized crab meat
• Stuffed crab (crab balls/sauce)
• Seafood and vegetable mix
• Mixed seafood skewers
• Seafood mix in tray pack
• Surimi Analogue products
• Patties/nuggets
• Mussels/Clam meat pickle
• Crab cakes
• Breaded crab cakes
• Raw crab meat
• Paddle crab in trays
• Half cut cooked lobster
• IQF/Tray packed peeled lobster meat
• Seafood sausage
• Frozen seafood curry and rice
• Frozen seafood curry with parotta
• Blanched/cooked lobster tail
• Seafood in brine/oil/sauce
• Fried bivalves/fish/shrimp

MPEDA’s Services

MPEDA issues certificates and provides training and dispute resolution in the global market.

Certificates from MPEDA can be received by exporters, farmers and fishermen.

MPEDA provides certification, training, and dispute settlement in the international market. For international trade, eSANCHITH certificates are provided by MPEDA.

Types of eSANCHITH certificates are mentioned in the table below:

Categories of Permitted Marine Products by MPEDA are mentioned below:

Categories of Permitted Fishing vessels and Processing Entities by MPEDA are mentioned below: 

The Application Forms for Registration by MPEDA are stated below:

The Forms for Issuing Certificate of Registration by MPEDA are stated below:

Registration Process

MPEDA Registration Process for exporters, manufacturers, fishing vessels, merchant explorers, ornamental fish explorers, and processing entities of MPEDA functions under Section 9(2) (b) and (h) of the MPEDA Act 1972. All stakeholders engaged in exporting seafood should register with MPEDA. The MPEDA Registration form can be submitted online. If you need help in receiving this certificate as soon as possible, we recommend you to get in touch with our Registrationwala team.

Conclusion

The marine industry in India has been rising significantly. India is currently the third largest fish producing country in the world, followed by China and Indonesia. It accounts for approx. 8 percent of the global fish production and ranks second in aquaculture production. In order to maintain the quality of the seafoods, develop technologies for better production and promote the export of marine products in global markets, GOI established MPEDA. Since its establishment, MPEDA has been guiding and helping the exporters, fishermen and farmers through research and training and financial assistance. MPEDA’s registration is highly beneficial for those who are engaged in marine products since it assures that quality of marine exports is as per the global standards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is MPEDA?

A. Marine Products Export Development Authority or MPEDA is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GOI. It helps in guiding and supporting the development of the seafood industry in India along with the production, promotion, and marketing of quality products.

Q2. Why is MPEDA registration required?
A. MPEDA registration is mandatory for individuals and organizations engaged in export of marine products in India. It ensures compliance with the quality standards of the marine industry and sanitary requirements set by international trade agreements.

Q3. Who needs to register with MPEDA?
A. Exporters, packers, processors, farmers and fishermen involved in the export of marine products are required to register with MPEDA. This applies to both Indian and foreign nationals/entities.

Q4. How to apply for MPEDA registration?
A. For MPEDA registration, it is necessary to fill out the application form available on the official website of MPEDA. Alternatively, you can visit the MPEDA regional office and submit an application there. If you need the Registrationwala team’s expert guidance, give us a call. 

Q5. What documents are required for MPEDA registration?
A. Documents necessary for MPEDA registration: Proof of incorporation, PAN card, Export-Import code, Address Proof, Bank Account details, Layout Plan of the Manufacturing Premises and any other relevant certificates or licenses.

Q6. What is the registration fee for MPEDA?
A. The registration fee for MPEDA varies according to the applicant’s category. The fee is subject to change. To check the current fees, we recommend you to visit the official website of MPEDA or the regional office near you.

Q7. Is MPEDA registration valid indefinitely?
A. MPEDA registration is only valid for a specific period. The initial registration is granted for five years, after which renewal is necessary. To ensure the continuity of export operations, registered entities should renew their registration before the expiry date. 

Q8. Can MPEDA registration be revoked?
A. Yes, MPEDA registration can be revoked in case of non-compliance with MPEDA’s rules and regulations. It is necessary for the registered entities to stick to the prescribed guidelines and maintain the required standards to avoid cancellation or revocation of MPEDA registration. 

Author: Dushyant Sharma

Hey there, I'm Dushyant Sharma. With the extensive knowledge I've gained in past 8 years, I have been creating content on various subjects such as banking, insurance, telecom, and all the important registration and licensing processes for various companies. I'm here to help everyone with my expertise in these areas through my articles.