Express News Service
KOCHI: China’s suspension of the import of Indian seafood merchandise has added to the woes of exporters in Kerala already hit by the Covid pandemic. According to the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), China has rejected Indian fish consignments alleging detection of Covid traces in them in the course of the previous two months. The transfer adopted India’s ban on 267 Chinese cellular apps within the aftermath of the border standoff, mentioned SEAI Kerala chapter president Alex Ok Ninan.
“It has been a tricky time for the seafood export sector after the restrictions on export as a consequence of Covid restrictions. The Chinese firms have been rejecting our consignments for the previous two months. The allegations of Covid traces in consignments are simply excuses.
We really feel it’s a response to the ban on Chinese apps. Exporters in Gujarat alone have incurred a lack of Rs 1,200 crore as a result of rejection and the non-payment of dues,” he mentioned. Sources mentioned many exporters in Kerala are getting ready to chapter as a consequence of points together with Covid restrictions, blockade of consignments in Colombo Transhipment Port and the China standoff.
Chinese market alone accounts for round 25% of Kerala’s seafood exports. The export to Europe too has been affected as a result of stringent restrictions triggered by the second wave of Covid-19. There has been a decline in exports to the USA as properly.
“Though South Asian countries are open, the companies are being forced to reduce the price due to the slump in market,” mentioned Alex. Seafood merchandise from Kerala, significantly Indian shrimp and ribbon fish, are in excessive demand in China. However, the businesses are usually not eager to import Indian merchandise as a result of deterioration in relationship between the 2 international locations, he mentioned.
Many companies in main disaster: Export physique
“Many export firms are in deep crisis. The banks are sending recovery notices. We need government support to tide over the crisis, but there has not been any response to the representation given to the Union government,” mentioned Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) Kerala chapter president Alex Ok Ninan.
Meanwhile, All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association has written to the Prime Minister looking for his intervention to revive the sector.
According to normal secretary Joseph Xavier Kalappurackal, the livelihood of the fishing neighborhood has been severely affected as a consequence of Covid restrictions. The fishermen and boat employees have been pushed to penury as they may enterprise into the ocean just for 45 days in 2020, he mentioned.
