The Minister for Fisheries, Saji Cherian, has suggested that Kerala should focus on creating a distinctive range of fish-derived goods and enhancing its export capabilities to satisfy the substantial global appetite for such products.
During the inauguration of the Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation (KSCADC) headquarters in Kamaleswaram, Thiruvananthapuram, the minister highlighted the importance of implementing innovative approaches to sustainably harness marine resources and optimize export potential.
Emphasizing the need for the fisheries sector to focus on generating value-added fish products with high demand in foreign markets, the minister expressed optimism about witnessing substantial progress in the export of such items within the next 2-3 years. Additionally, he emphasized the potential for Kerala's fish-based products to secure a significant global market share through the development of a distinct brand.
The minister drew attention to the underutilized maritime resources of Kerala and emphasized that harnessing a minimum of 10% of these resources would have a substantial positive impact on the state's economy.
Antony Raju highlighted the significant export potential of value-added fish products from Kerala, provided they maintain high-quality standards. Adding to this, P I Sheikh Pareeth, the Managing Director of KSCADC, acknowledged the strong foreign demand for value-added fish products, particularly among expatriate Malayalis. He further asserted that tapping into this market would greatly enhance the fisheries sector.
