Selling fishmeal from India to China: market access, quality & registration

1. The opportunity: why China needs Indian fishmeal

China imports approximately 2 million tonnes of fishmeal annually, making it the world's largest importer. While Peru has historically been the dominant supplier, Chinese buyers are actively seeking diversification. El Niño-driven quota volatility, supply concentration risk, and the desire for year-round supply continuity are pushing feed manufacturers to explore alternative origins.

India has an established GACC–EIC bilateral protocol covering fish meal and fish oil exports to China — meaning the country-level access framework is in place, though individual facilities still require approval and listing. Indian fishmeal offers Chinese buyers several advantages: competitive pricing (indicative FOB ~$1,050/MT for 65–68% protein, subject to season and market conditions), year-round production from multiple coastal regions, and an expanding focus on steam-dried processing and traceability.

India's seafood export industry is substantial — the country exported $7.45 billion worth of seafood products in FY 2024–25 (per MPEDA data), with China among the major destinations. Fishmeal, while a smaller segment, benefits from this mature export infrastructure.

2. India's raw material base

Indian fishmeal production is concentrated along the western and southern coastlines, with raw material sourced primarily from:

India's 7,500 km coastline provides abundant and diverse raw material. The government's Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) program supports fisheries infrastructure development, including feed production and cold chain improvements.

3. Key Indian fishmeal producers

India's fishmeal production sector includes both dedicated producers and integrated seafood companies. Notable players with export-oriented operations include:

4. Quality requirements: what Chinese buyers expect

Chinese aquaculture feed manufacturers purchasing imported fishmeal typically require the following specification profile:

* These figures combine practical premium-buyer targets and published summaries of relevant Chinese standards. Final admissibility, labeling, and registration treatment should always be confirmed against the full current standard texts, your China-based regulatory agent, and the applicable GACC/MARA pathway for your exact product.

Indian fishmeal in the 62–65% protein range is also of interest to some Chinese buyers for cost-competitive feed formulations, but the strongest buyer interest and best pricing discussions are usually around 68%+ steam-dried product.

5. Registration: EIC coordination + GACC facility + MARA product compliance

India has an established bilateral protocol between GACC and the Export Inspection Council (EIC) covering fish meal and fish oil exports to China. The registration path for Indian fishmeal producers involves:

Step 1: National competent authority (EIC)

In India, the Export Inspection Council (EIC) is the confirmed competent authority for fish meal and fish oil exports to China under the bilateral GACC–EIC protocol. EIC coordinates with GACC on facility registration submissions and hygiene/inspection requirements. Contact your nearest EIC regional office to initiate the process.

Step 2: GACC facility registration

EIC reviews your facility, confirms compliance with Indian and equivalent Chinese standards (HACCP, traceability, recall capability), and submits the registration dossier to GACC. Typical practical timeline: 3–12 months depending on GACC review queue.

Step 3: MARA Import Registration Certificate

In parallel with GACC, engage a Chinese domestic agent or subsidiary to apply for the MARA Import Registration Certificate. This is a product-level registration. Confirm with your agent whether your specific product requires a full MARA import registration license or qualifies for simplified treatment — do not ship until MARA status is confirmed in writing. Typical practical timeline: 4–8 months. Requires: full product specs, COA, Chinese-language labels per GB 10648, and manufacturing process documentation.

Step 4: First shipment

Once both registrations are confirmed, prepare the documentation package required by the applicable India–China protocol, GACC, MARA, and buyer — typically including: COA (covering GB/T 19164 + GB 13078 parameters), health/inspection certificate from EIC, certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and Chinese-language labels.

6. Logistics: Indian ports to Shanghai

* Transit times are indicative estimates subject to shipping line, season, and port congestion.

Container freight rates from India to Shanghai fluctuate but are generally competitive compared to Latin American origins. Preferred terms: FOB Indian port, with CFR Shanghai also available for producers with freight capability.

7. Challenges and how to address them

Protein consistency

Indian fishmeal protein levels can vary by season and raw material source. Solution: work with suppliers who have in-house laboratory testing and can provide lot-specific COA for every shipment. Third-party verification (SGS, Bureau Veritas) adds buyer confidence.

Processing method documentation

Not all Indian producers use steam drying. Some smaller operations still use flame or sun drying. Solution: verify processing method through facility audit or third-party inspection before commercial engagement.

GACC registration timeline

The registration process can be slow, particularly if EIC is processing multiple applications simultaneously. Solution: start early and maintain regular follow-up with EIC. Consider engaging a specialized export compliance consultant.

Chinese import compliance standards

Chinese import compliance for feed products has become increasingly documentation-driven and less tolerant of inconsistencies in recent years. Solution: label errors and COA gaps create a high risk of hold, delay, refusal, or rework — ensure full documentation compliance on every shipment.

8. Work with Remeta

Remeta actively sources steam-dried fishmeal from Indian producers for Chinese aquaculture buyers. We work with GACC-registered facilities that can provide consistent 65–68% protein product with full documentation compliance.

Related guides:

→ How to Export Feed-Grade Fishmeal to China: Complete Compliance Guide

→ China Registration for Fishmeal Exporters: GACC DAPQ vs MARA Explained

→ Pakistan fishmeal to China: tariff edge, registration & export hubs

Related documents:

→ Remeta Fishmeal Specification PDF

→ Remeta Fishmeal Export Checklist 2026 PDF

References and sources

• India–China protocol for fish meal / fish oil exports (EIC–GACC, signed 28 Nov 2018) — establishes EIC as the Indian competent authority and requires an original health certificate issued by EIC for each consignment.
• USDA FAS CH2024-0039 — overview of GACC and MARA roles, Feed Ingredients Catalog treatment, import registration licenses, and China-based agent requirements for feed exports.
• USDA FAS CH2025-0061 — export certificate framework showing fishmeal / fish oil and other aquatic protein under China's animal-health / feed import documentation logic.
• Government of India seafood export release (FY 2024–25) — seafood exports reached ₹62,408 crore (USD 7.45 billion).
• Chinese standards referenced in market practice and labeling discussions: GB/T 19164-2021 (fishmeal), GB 13078-2017 (feed hygiene), GB 10648-2013 (feed labels). Use the latest official text or licensed standard database for final regulatory confirmation.
• Producer examples in this guide are included as identified market participants with fishmeal activity. Current China-facing registration/export status should be verified directly before commercial reliance.
• Timelines, transit estimates, and FOB indications in this guide are practical market ranges, not regulatory guarantees.

9. Frequently asked questions

Do Indian fishmeal exporters need both GACC and MARA-related compliance?

In practice, exporters targeting China should verify both the plant-side GACC pathway and the product-side MARA treatment before shipment. Do not assume that one approval alone is enough for first-time exports.

Is the 2018 India–China protocol enough on its own?

No. The protocol supports the bilateral export pathway, but individual plants, product treatment, documentation, labels, and current China-facing status still need to be checked case by case.

What documents should a first-time exporter prepare?

At minimum: lot-specific COA, EIC-issued health/inspection documentation as applicable, certificate of origin, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, Chinese label materials, and the product/registration materials required by the relevant MARA pathway.