What it is
Small low-value fish and processing waste are cooked, pressed and dried into protein meal for aqua, poultry and pet feed; the pressed liquid gives fish oil.
Steam-dried fishmeal (55-65% protein)Sun-dried fishmealCrude fish oil
Where India produces it
- Karnataka
2023-24 (provisional): 7.28 lakh tonnes. Figure is marine fish catch, the raw material
- Gujarat
2023-24 (provisional): 7.05 lakh tonnes. Figure is marine fish catch
- Tamil Nadu
2023-24 (provisional): 6.37 lakh tonnes. Figure is marine fish catch
- Andhra Pradesh
2023-24 (provisional): 6.0 lakh tonnes. Figure is marine fish catch
- Kerala
2023-24 (provisional): 5.81 lakh tonnes. Figure is marine fish catch
Where imports come from
Mostly made in India; imports were US$ 15.36 million in 2024-25 (HS 230120).
- Uruguay — US$ 8.52 million imported under HS 230120 in 2024-25
- Oman — US$ 1.71 million imported under HS 230120 in 2024-25
Rules before you buy or sell
- Imports of livestock products need a Sanitary Import Permit from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
- Fishmeal plants need State Pollution Control Board consent because of odour and effluent.
Storage and handling
Stabilise with antioxidant; keep dry and ventilated to avoid self-heating.