NextFin news, On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Andhra Pradesh’s aquaculture industry, a major contributor to India’s shrimp exports, was severely impacted by the high tariffs imposed by the United States under the Trump administration. The tariffs, combined with anti-dumping duties, have raised the effective tariff on Indian shrimp to nearly 60 percent, drastically reducing exports to the US market.
The state of Andhra Pradesh, which accounts for the majority of India’s shrimp exports, has seen a sharp decline in shipments, with nearly 70 percent of its produce traditionally destined for the US. This has led to a significant drop in farm-gate prices, pushing many shrimp farmers into heavy debt and threatening the economic stability of the aquaculture sector.
Tirupati district, a key shrimp cultivation area with over 28,000 acres under shrimp farming and an annual yield of approximately 125,000 tonnes, has been particularly affected. The slowdown in exports has caused distress among thousands of farmers who rely on aquaculture for their livelihoods.
In response, the Indian government introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) relief measures aimed at alleviating some of the financial burdens on the aquaculture sector. However, industry stakeholders report that these relief efforts have brought little respite given the scale of the tariff impact.
The tariffs were initially imposed as part of trade policies under former US President Donald Trump, targeting various Indian exports including seafood. The combination of these tariffs and anti-dumping duties has created a challenging environment for Andhra Pradesh’s shrimp exporters, who are now seeking further government intervention to sustain the sector.
According to reports from The South First and statements made by local representatives, the aquaculture industry in Andhra Pradesh is at a critical juncture, with urgent calls for more comprehensive support to mitigate the adverse effects of the US tariffs and stabilize the livelihoods of shrimp farmers across the state.
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