India-US trade deal lifts outlook for shrimp exporters Avanti Feeds, Apex Frozen after tariff cut

Shares of India's seafood exporters such as Avanti Feeds, Apex Frozen Foods, Waterbase, IFB Agro Industries and Coastal Corporation are expected to remain in focus during Tuesday's session, following the India-US trade deal.

The reduction in tariff rates from 50% to 18% is likely to restore a meaningful part of the competitiveness lost by Indian shrimp exporters in the US market.

Companies that had been grappling with volume losses and margin pressure due to steep tariffs are now expected to see some easing, improving earnings visibility.

Concerns around inventory pile up and working capital stress should also moderate, while exporters are likely to claw back market share in the US.

The US remains India's most important market for frozen shrimp, accounting for 41% of export volumes and 48% of export value in FY25. India exports around 250,000 metric tonnes of seafood to the US every year, valued at about $2.5 billion.

Tariff rate comparison for competitors:

India 18%
Ecuador 15%
Vietnam 20%
Thailand 19%
Indonesia 19%
Smaller players:
Mexico 10%
Argentina 10%

In H1 2025, shrimp export volumes to the US stood at 161,835 metric tonnes from India, compared with 113,091 metric tonnes from Ecuador, 70,959 metric tonnes from Indonesia, 28,930 metric tonnes from Vietnam and 12,816 metric tonnes from Thailand.

Earlier in September 2025, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had said that US tariffs may have resulted in losses of ₹25,000 crore for India's shrimp exporters, with up to half of export orders facing cancellations.

According to MPEDA data, Andhra Pradesh accounts for nearly 80% of India's shrimp exports, valued at over ₹21,000 crore annually.

In FY24, India exported a record $7.38 billion worth of seafood, with the US and China emerging as key destinations and frozen shrimp remaining the largest export item. In FY25, seafood exports stood at ₹62,408 crore, or $7.45 billion.

On Monday, shares of Avanti Feeds ended 2.35% higher, while Apex Frozen Foods closed 0.42% lower. Waterbase and Coastal Corporation also finished the session in the red.