Nara Lokesh Solves Years Long Problem Between India And Australia!

It is already known that Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh is currently on a trip to Australia where he is exploring multiple business opportunities and investment avenues to the state.

In this context, Lokesh has solved a problem that has been around for the shrimp exporting community in Andhra Pradesh as he took a pretty big step with regard to the clearance of these policies.

A long-standing hurdle for Indian seafood exporters has been Australia’s restrictions on unpeeled prawns due to white spot virus detection.

Today, the first import approval for Indian prawns has been granted. Our deepest gratitude to the extensive work done by Indian and Australian Governments to facilitate this. We should continue to open new markets to de-risk ourselves from too much dependence on one market. This would play a crucial role in the clearance of the Andhra Pradesh produced shrimp in the Australian market.

I have been having deliberations over past couple of days about deepening the partnership with Australia on seafood trade. Today, I met Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) CEO Veronica Papacosta and Engagement Manager Jasmin Kelleher to discuss partnerships in sustainable aquaculture and trade networking.

Andhra Pradesh accounts for 60%+ of India’s seafood exports, valued at USD 7.4 billion (₹66,000 crore) in 2024–25. I was impressed that they’ve created a brand ‘Great Australian Seafood’ to promote Aussie seafood and make it a premium offering. They have also moved up the value chain. We have a lot to learn and we will stay in touch and offer the requisite support to AP’s seafood industry, Lokesh tweeted on this matter.