GST Council has approved sweeping relief across the fisheries value chain, reducing rates from 12–18 per cent to a uniform 5 per cent. The revised structure, effective from 22 September 2025, applies to seafood products such as fish oils, extracts, preserved fish and shrimp, as well as aquaculture equipment including diesel engines, pumps, aerators, and sprinklers. Chemicals used in aquaculture, fishing gear, seafood processing services, and composting machines for pond management are also covered under the lower rate.
The reform is expected to substantially reduce costs for fish farmers, aquaculturists, small-scale fishers, cooperatives, and women’s self-help groups, while making processed seafood more affordable for consumers. It also enhances India’s export competitiveness, contributing to the government’s wider vision of strengthening the Blue Economy and advancing the agenda of Viksit Bharat.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How will reduced GST rates influence production volumes, informal sector integration, and export value-addition in India’s fisheries and aquaculture industries?
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