Other than European Union, USA and Japan, where do we have the potential to increase exports?
Eighty per cent of our marine exports go to China, USA, Japan and European Union. We are looking at fast developing countries like Russia and South Africa. In Japan, we had 45 per cent market share which has come down to 15% now. We are trying to revive the relationship with Japan and a trade delegation is visiting Japan soon. For black tiger shrimp, Japan is still a major market. We are targeting South American countries — Brazil, Argentina, then Australia and East European countries. Those becoming more prosperous stand a chance to buy our products What do you think is MPEDA’s major challenge now? We have shortage of raw material, our catch is falling. Then we have the technical problems — we don’t have the right technology. If technical problems were not there we don’t have to go to the farmers. They would cultivate on their own. When pathogen affects our products we don’t have the right technology. MPEDA is in an unenviable position — we have to develop the products, infuse technol
