Andhra Pradesh: Nara Lokesh welcomes Australia’s approval for Indian prawn imports

Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh welcomed Australia’s decision to allow the import of Indian prawns, calling it a major relief for exporters. He also held talks with Australian seafood leaders to strengthen trade partnerships and promote sustainable aquaculture practices

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Education, IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh has welcomed the decision of the Australian government to allow the import of Indian prawns.

Lokesh, who is currently on a visit to Australia to promote CII Partnership Summit scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam next month, revealed through a post on ‘X’ that Australia has approved the import of Indian prawns.

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“A long-standing hurdle for Indian seafood exporters has been Australia’s restrictions on unpeeled prawns due to white spot virus detection. Today, the first import approval for Indian prawns has been granted. Our deepest gratitude to the extensive work done by the Indian and Australian Governments to facilitate this,” he said.

“We should continue to open new markets to de-risk ourselves from too much dependence on one market,” he added, apparently referring to the US market. The tariffs imposed by the United States have hit the aqua sector in Andhra Pradesh hard.

Lokesh, in another post, said that he had deliberations over the past couple of days about deepening the partnership with Australia on the seafood trade. “Today, I met Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) CEO Veronica Papacosta and Engagement Manager Jasmin Kelleher to discuss partnerships in sustainable aquaculture and trade networking. Andhra Pradesh accounts for 60 per cent+ of India’s seafood exports, valued at $7.4 billion (Rs 66,000 crore) in 2024–25,” he wrote.

“I was impressed that they’ve created a brand ‘Great Australian Seafood’ to promote Aussie seafood and make it a premium offering. They have also moved up the value chain. We have a lot to learn, and we will stay in touch and offer the requisite support to AP’s seafood industry,” added Lokesh.