India’s yearly per capita fish consumption surged to 8.89 kg in 2021, rising from 4.9 kg in 2005, reflecting alterations in dietary preferences influenced by increased earnings and escalating prosperity, as per a research report.
Among communities accustomed to consuming fish, the average annual per capita fish intake rose from 7.43 kg to 12.33 kg, marking a 66 per cent increase.
The research, carried out by WorldFish, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and other governmental bodies, examined data spanning from 2005-2006 to 2019-2021.
Over the 2005-2021 timeframe, the nation’s fish production surged more than twofold to 14.164 million tonnes, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.63 per cent.
The study highlighted a rapid increase in the volume of imported fish and fishery products destined for consumption within India. These imports surged by 543 per cent during the period, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.84 per cent, from approximately 14,000 tonnes in 2005-2006 to 76,000 tonnes in 2019-2020.
When considering both domestically sourced and imported fish, the total amount it consumed in the domestic market soared by 120 per cent to 11.924 million tonnes, up from 5.428 million tonnes, according to Free Press Journal.
“Annual per capita fish consumption escalated from 4.9 to 8.89 kg, representing an increase of 3.99 kg (81.43 per cent) with a growth rate of 4.05 per cent,” stated the report titled ‘Fish consumption in India: Patterns and trends’.
India outpaced the World Bank’s lower-middle income country group, experiencing a 60 per cent surge in per capita fish consumption compared to the group’s 45 per cent average. Nevertheless, the report highlighted that India’s consumption remained below the group’s average of 14.94 kg in 2020.
“Remarkably, fish consumption is surging faster than the global population growth rate, attributed to rising incomes, heightened awareness of its health benefits and the expanding urban footprint,” remarked ICAR Director General Himanshu Pathak in the report.
The study delves into the intricacies of its consumption in India from 2005 to 2021, drawing on comprehensive, nationally representative surveys conducted by the Government of India.
(Finance World and The Free Press Journal have published the article under a mutual content partnership arrangement.)
