India's export-oriented aquaculture sector has continued to expand over the past five years, driven by sustained growth in Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) production and a gradual recovery in Black Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) farming. The latest production data for the period 2021–22 to 2025–26 indicate that while vannamei remains the dominant cultured shrimp species, Black Tiger shrimp continues to strengthen its presence as a premium aquaculture commodity.
The data reflect the evolving dynamics of India's shrimp farming industry, with vannamei maintaining stable growth and Black Tiger shrimp recording significant long-term gains despite fluctuations in annual production. Together, the two species continue to play a crucial role in supporting India's seafood production and export-oriented aquaculture sector.
Vannamei Shrimp Maintains Strong Production Growth
Litopenaeus vannamei continued to dominate India's shrimp farming industry throughout the five-year period. Production increased from 976,213 metric tonnes (MT) in 2021–22 to 1,304,779 MT in 2025–26, representing an overall increase of 33.66%.
The first major jump came in 2022–23, when production reached 1,097,481 MT, registering a 12.42% increase over the previous year. This growth pushed annual production beyond the one-million-tonne mark, highlighting the continued expansion of vannamei farming across major shrimp-producing states.
Production moderated slightly in 2023–24, declining by 1.87% to 1,076,970 MT. Although this represented the only year-on-year decline during the five-year period, the reduction was relatively small and was followed by a strong recovery.
In 2024–25, vannamei production increased to 1,186,266 MT, reflecting a 10.15% annual growth. The positive trend continued into 2025–26, when production reached a record 1,304,779 MT, registering another 9.99% increase and establishing the highest production level recorded during the study period.
Overall, vannamei production recorded an average annual growth rate of approximately 7.5%, reinforcing its position as the backbone of India's commercial shrimp farming industry.
Black Tiger Shrimp Shows Significant Long-Term Growth
Production trends for Penaeus monodon, commonly known as Black Tiger shrimp, followed a different trajectory.
Production increased from 40,504 MT in 2021–22 to 69,072 MT in 2025–26, representing an overall growth of 70.5% over the five-year period.
The sector experienced its strongest annual growth in 2022–23, when production rose by 55.6% to 63,041 MT. Growth continued in 2023–24, with production increasing by another 36% to reach 85,752 MT, the highest level recorded during the five-year analysis.
However, Black Tiger shrimp production declined in 2024–25, falling by 21.8% to 67,039 MT. Despite this reduction, production recovered modestly in 2025–26, increasing by 3% to 69,072 MT.
Although annual production has shown greater variability compared to vannamei shrimp, the overall five-year trend remains positive, indicating continued cultivation of Black Tiger shrimp within India's aquaculture sector.
Comparing the Two Species
The production figures highlight the contrasting scale of the two shrimp species.
By 2025–26, vannamei production had crossed 1.30 million MT, making it nearly 19 times larger than Black Tiger shrimp production, which stood at 69,072 MT.
While vannamei remains the primary species cultivated for commercial shrimp farming because of its large production volume and steady expansion, Black Tiger shrimp continues to occupy an important position as a premium species cultivated in comparatively smaller quantities.
The production data also show that vannamei has maintained relatively stable year-on-year growth, whereas Black Tiger shrimp has experienced sharper increases and declines over the same period.
What the Production Data Indicates
The five-year production trend reflects the continued expansion of India's export-oriented shrimp farming sector.
Vannamei shrimp has demonstrated sustained growth, with only a marginal decline recorded during the study period before returning to record production levels. The species continues to account for the overwhelming share of cultured shrimp production in India.
Black Tiger shrimp, although produced in lower quantities, has registered stronger percentage growth over the five-year period. Its production increased by more than 70%, indicating that the species continues to remain commercially relevant within India's diversified shrimp farming sector.
The differing production trends also illustrate how farmers continue to cultivate multiple shrimp species to serve different production systems and market segments.
Looking Ahead
Production data from 2021–22 to 2025–26 indicate that India's shrimp farming industry has maintained positive long-term growth. Vannamei shrimp continues to dominate production, reaching a record 1,304,779 MT, while Black Tiger shrimp has recorded substantial overall growth despite annual fluctuations.
As India's aquaculture sector continues to evolve, production trends for both Litopenaeus vannamei and Penaeus monodon will remain important indicators of industry performance. Future production levels will continue to be monitored by farmers, exporters, processors, researchers, and policymakers as the sector adapts to changing production conditions and market requirements.
