Vijayawada, October 1, 2026: The 5th edition of Shrimp Retail 2026, a national platform dedicated to expanding India’s domestic shrimp and seafood market, successfully concluded on September 29–30, 2026, at Novotel Vijayawada Varun, Vijayawada. The event brought together policymakers, scientists, aquaculture stakeholders, seafood processors, retailers, chefs and industry leaders to discuss strategies for making shrimp and seafood an integral part of Indian diets.
Organised with a focus on strengthening domestic consumption, market development, value addition and consumer awareness, the two-day programme featured expert discussions, industry interactions, culinary demonstrations and networking sessions.
The inaugural session featured Dr J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries), ICAR; Dr B. K. Behera, Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB); Dr K. K. Tripathy, Joint Secretary, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, NITI Aayog; Dr M. Kailasam, Director, ICAR-CIBA; and Mr Pravash Pradhan, Convenor, Shrimp Retail 2026.
Emphasising the importance of domestic seafood consumption, Dr J. K. Jena, DDG-Fisheries, ICAR, said that India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector has immense potential to contribute to nutritional security, livelihoods and economic growth, adding that stronger domestic seafood consumption, supported by scientific research, quality assurance and sustainable aquaculture practices, can better connect India’s production capabilities with consumers.
Dr B. K. Behera, Chief Executive, NFDB, highlighted the need for coordinated efforts across production, processing, marketing and distribution to develop a vibrant domestic seafood market and create new opportunities for fish farmers, entrepreneurs and seafood businesses.
Dr K. K. Tripathy, Joint Secretary, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, NITI Aayog, emphasised that a stronger domestic seafood market can complement India’s export-oriented fisheries sector while creating opportunities for employment, enterprise development and value-chain efficiency.
Speaking at the event, Mr Pravash Pradhan, Convenor, Shrimp Retail 2026, said, “Shrimp Retail has been successfully completed. The strong participation at this edition demonstrates the growing interest in making shrimp and seafood more accessible, convenient and appealing to Indian consumers.”
The sessions covered key areas including shrimp as a source of protein, cold-chain and last-mile delivery, seafood quality standards and traceability, modern trade, quick commerce, branding, packaging and value addition. Discussions also explored sustainable aquaculture, farm-to-consumption linkages and the role of culinary professionals in expanding seafood demand.
The event also featured live culinary demonstrations, industry awards and networking opportunities, providing participants with a platform to exchange ideas, explore partnerships and identify new business opportunities across the seafood value chain.
Shrimp Retail 2026 concluded with a strong emphasis on collaboration between government, academia and industry to expand domestic seafood consumption, strengthen consumer confidence and create sustainable growth opportunities for India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
