Australia to Taste Indian Seafood, Thanks to Nara Lokesh

As we had reported earlier, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister, Nara Lokesh is currently in Australia. He is exploring multiple investment opportunities and business ventures that can be brought to Andhra Pradesh. 

In this connection, Lokesh has found a big relief to the otherwise struggling Andhra Pradesh seafood industry which took a beating due to Trump tariffs in the U.S.  

Notably, a long-standing hurdle for Indian seafood exporters has been Australia’s restrictions on unpeeled prawns due to white spot virus detection. Lokesh has now communicated that a solution has been found to this matter. 

Today, the first import approval for Indian prawns has been granted. This is to be considered as a pretty big and positive reinforcement to the Indian seafood industry. This would also come as a blessing to the Andhra Pradesh Aqua sector farmers who had been suffering due to the Trump tariff.

Once the seafood trade opens up with Australia, Andhra aqua industry could be revived again, and this is exactly what Lokesh hinted earlier today. 

Today, lokesh 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%+ of India’s seafood exports, valued at USD 7.4 billion (₹62,000 crore) in 2024–25. He explores the Australian model of seafood trade and sounded confident about replicating it in Andhra Pradesh.