The European Union (EU) emerged as the third-largest market for Indian seafood exports, accounting for 18.94 per cent of total export value, worth USD 1.593 billion during the fiscal year 2025-26, as per the statement issued by the Commerce Ministry on Thursday.Exports to the EU recorded significant growth over 2024-25, with export value rising by 41.45 per cent and quantity by 38.29 per cent. Farmed shrimp continued to constitute the major share of exports to the region.According to the statement, India has been included in the revised draft list published by the EU on May 12 for continued export of aquaculture products to the EU market, addressing concerns arising from the earlier omission in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598 issued on October 4, 2024.The earlier regulation had not included India among third countries authorised to export products of animal origin intended for human consumption to the EU from September 2026.The revised draft list follows compliance measures undertaken by India in line with European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/905, which requires exporting countries to ensure that animals and animal products exported to the EU are free from the use of antimicrobial medicinal products for growth promotion and antimicrobials reserved for human treatment.The European Commission, in its press communication dated May 12, stated that the updated list includes countries that have demonstrated compliance with the EU restrictions on antimicrobial use in food-producing animals and have provided the necessary guarantees and assurances under the EU regulations.India’s proposed inclusion is a major positive development for the country’s seafood export sector and reflects the EU’s confidence in India’s regulatory systems, residue monitoring mechanisms and food safety standards. Once formally adopted by the European Commission, the revised regulation is expected to ensure uninterrupted export of Indian aquaculture products to the EU market beyond September 2026.India has consistently enhanced its systems relating to veterinary medicinal products, antimicrobial residues, traceability and quality assurance in aquaculture production and seafood processing.The proposed inclusion is viewed as a positive outcome of continued technical engagement and regulatory cooperation between India and the European Union, and is expected to support export growth, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings from the seafood sector.