Chandrababu Urges Centre to Protect Andhra Aqua Industry
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu requested urgent central support after increased US tariffs on aqua exports threatened farmers, exporters, shrimp businesses, and lakhs of workers across the state.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has appealed to the central government to step in and support the state’s struggling aqua industry after the United States imposed heavy additional tariffs on aqua products exported from Andhra Pradesh.
In a letter addressed to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, the Chief Minister explained that the sudden increase in import duties by the US government has created serious uncertainty for aqua farmers, exporters, and seafood businesses across the state. Andhra Pradesh is one of India’s largest exporters of shrimp and other aqua products to international markets, especially the United States.
According to officials, the additional 50 percent tariff imposed by the US has sharply increased export costs, making Andhra Pradesh aqua products less competitive in the global market. Industry representatives fear that falling demand could severely impact the livelihoods of lakhs of families dependent on aqua farming and seafood exports.
Chandrababu warned that nearly 30 lakh people connected directly and indirectly with the aqua sector could face financial difficulties if immediate measures are not taken. He urged the central government to begin high level diplomatic talks with the United States to reduce the tariff burden and protect Indian exporters.
The Chief Minister also requested a special financial relief package for the aqua sector to prevent the industry from slipping deeper into crisis. He proposed increasing working capital limits for aqua businesses by 30 percent to help companies manage operational expenses during the slowdown.
In addition, Chandrababu asked the Centre to provide a minimum 240 day moratorium on bank interest payments for exporters facing financial stress. He also demanded that interest rates for the sector be capped at five percent and sought temporary GST relief on aqua products to reduce the burden on businesses and farmers.
State officials believe immediate intervention from the Centre could help stabilize the industry and protect thousands of jobs linked to Andhra Pradesh’s aqua economy.
