The State Government has urged the Centre to equip the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIT) here with air cargo handling facilities so that live and chilled fish can be exported to overseas markets directly.
Chief Secretary AP Padhi has written to Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey in this regard.
Odisha is a leading producer and contributor to the seafood export basket of the country. Out of 4.67 lakh metric tonne (lMT) of fish produced in 2014-15, the State exported 34,767 lMT valued at Rs2,070 crore, which is higher by 12.26 per cent in volume and 14 per cent in value compared to 2013-14.
Of the total seafood export, 97.79 per cent is frozen shrimp, 1.72 per cent frozen fish and the rest 0.49 per cent constitutes other products, including chilled items.
Odisha majorly exports seafood to South East Asia, USA, European Union and Japan markets. Almost all exports are done from ports of the other States.
Recently, the State has notified an ambitious Fisheries Policy focusing to double the fish production and increase exports to five-fold in the next coming four years.
Since exports play a vital role in the economy of the State, the State needs to increase production, improve quality and adopt new technology and diversification of markets. Cargo handling facility at the BPIT would come as a big help for enhancing fist market internationally, an official viewed.
While country’s exports of chilled and live items have significantly increased in the last few years, Odisha’s contribution in to this basket is almost negligible with just 48 MT of chilled items valuing Rs205.39 lakh.
Currently, the worldwide demand for fresh and live seafood products is growing and Odisha is very much keen to enter and expand into this area as well, the official added.
“Cargo handling facility will not only benefit the State to increase the export earnings but also facilitate creation of more job opportunities and entrepreneurship,” said Padhi, adding processors and exporters would be able to reach markets in West Asia and South East Asia in a shorter time where demands for fresh and chilled fish are more.