On February 2, 2026, a new bilateral trade deal between India’s Prime Minister Modi and the US administration brought significant relief to Indian exporters. The new reciprocal tariff rate for India’s shrimp exports to the US was reduced from 25% to 18%. The additional 25% punitive tariff linked to Russian oil purchases has been completely eliminated. This means that Indian exporters now face a 18% tariff only. This represents a major positive signal for shrimp farmers, exporters, and processors as well as restores the competitiveness of Indian shrimp in the US market.
India is the second-largest shrimp exporter after Ecuador. Indian shrimp exports to the U.S. faced a severe crisis in 2025 with total effective duties rising to over 58% (including 25% reciprocal and 25% penalty tariffs), prompting a shift to other markets.
At the World Aquaculture 2025 in Hyderabad India, Dr Saji Chacko, President of the Society of Aquaculture Professionals (SAP), said that in August, a 58.26% US tariff led to a 43% decline in Indian shrimp exports to the US; however, shipments to China rose 33% and to the EU 58% (Shrimp Insights, 2025). By September, exports to China increased by 46%, highlighting the exporters’ ability to pivot. (https://issues.aquaasiapac.com/view/341916740/64/).
At the Global Shrimp Forum, Robert DeHaan, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, National Fisheries Institute, listed the tariff rates for the top sources of shrimp to the US and their value (Table 1). 
