Shrimp, meat, agri exporters will lose pricing edge to rivals

As per Global Trade Research Initiative report, the hardest-hit segment will be fish, processed seafood, meat

- Vijay C. Roy

India's shrimp, basmati rice, and buffalo meat exports to the US—a trade worth billions—are in jeopardy as President Donald Trump slapped an additional 27% 'reciprocal' tariff on Indian imports. The move could erode India's price advantage, disrupt supply chains, and open the door for rival exporters from Vietnam, Thailand, and South America.

The US is India's top market for agricultural goods, with bilateral farm trade totaling $6.6 billion in 2024. India exported $5 billion worth of agricultural products, while imports stood at $1.5 billion.

With tariffs coming into force, exporters warn that they could hit key agricultural exports, particularly basmati and non-basmati rice, shrimp, wheat, and buffalo meat, which together account for 46% of India's farm trade with the US.

The agriculture, meat, and processed food sector faced an average existing tariff of 5.29%. For shrimp and seafood, it was 7%.