BRUSSELS/NEW DELHI, Sept. 10 -- The European Union has found almost all Indian fishery export establishments fit to supply seafood items to its market after thorough inspections, a decision that will help expand the export potential of Indian supplies in 27 European nations at a time when shrimp exports have been hit because of high tariffs imposed by the US. The EU has now listed 102 new Indian fishery establishments, which takes the total number to 604. This will immediately see a 20% jump in sea food exports to EU members, two officials aware of the matter said, asking not to be named. The EU, India's second-biggest seafood export market after the US with an annual supply of about $1 billion, is one of the most lucrative and quality-sensitive markets globally. "This significant expansion reflects the growing confidence in India's food safety and quality assurance systems and marks a major step forward in enhancing market access for Indian seafood products specially aquaculture shrimps and cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish and octopus)," a commerce ministry statement said on Tuesday. The development follows a series of meetings in European capitals and New Delhi involving the Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal and senior commerce ministry officials. The discussions resulted in the Europeans being more confident in the robust control mechanisms implemented by the Export Inspection Council (EIC) in India, according to the statement. "Indian seafood exports meet stringent international standards, particularly those laid down by the EU," it added. The development comes at a time EU negotiators are in New Delhi, holding the 13th round of negotiations for a free trade agreement. The listing of almost all Indian seafood export units shows discussions are constructive and positive, experts said. "This is certainly a positive development. There was about 12.3% year-on-year jump in India's marine exports at $951.29 billion to the EU in FY25. With this move, marine exports to the European bloc will further increase," Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) founder Ajay Srivastava said. The official statement said the move is "in line with the overall environment of optimism and greater confidence by the two sides in each other's product standards". Hindustan Times on Monday reported that the EU side was also willing to look into export of aquaculture goods given the impact of the recent doubling of US tariffs on exports of items such as shrimps. Last year, India exported shrimp worth about $2.8 billion to the US. The report also said that the India-EU free trade talks in New Delhi would focus on substantial issues such as non-tariff barriers. The addition of the 102 new establishments in the EU-approved list for fishery exports, reflects India's commitment to food safety, traceability, and compliance with EU regulations, the ministry said in the statement. It strengthened India's position as a trusted supplier of high-quality seafood, it added. The development is expected to boost export volumes, generate employment, and enhance foreign exchange earnings, the ministry said. With the inclusion of these new establishments, exporters across various coastal states and union territories (UTs) will now have greater opportunities to tap into EU demand, diversify their product offerings, and strengthen trade relationships, it said....