A new study has revealed that 72.1% of the Indian population consume fish. The recent years have shown a marked increase in fish consumption with a surge in consumption in a few inland areas as well.
The study titled ‘Fish Consumption in India: Patterns and Trends’. was conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India and World Fish India. The duration of study was from 2005 2006 to 2019-2021. The “significant growth in fish consumption in India” was attributed to “population growth, increased wealth and shifting consumption patterns.“
The highlights of ‘Fish Consumption in India: Patterns and Trends’ (2024) are as follows:
• The fish consuming population in India increased from 730.6 million (66%) to 966.9 million (72.1%), accounting to an approximate increase of 32%.
• The study revealed that, 5.95% of people consumed fish daily in 2019-2020, 34.8% consumed fish at least once a week and 31.35% only occasionally
• Tripura had the highest proportion of fish consumers (99.35%) and Haryana had the lowest (20.55%).
• Kerala and Goa recorded the highest percentage of daily fish consumers.
• The highest fish-eating populations (more than 90%) were recorded in the eastern and north-eastern states, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Goa.
• On the contrary northern states such as Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan had the lowest (less than 30%).
• It came as a surprise that the northernmost state of the country, Jammu and Kashmir, recorded the highest increase (20.9 percentage points) in fish consumption.
• The study found that women had lower fish consumption rate compared to men.
• The urban areas had a higher proportion of fish consumption at least once a week compared to rural areas.
• According to the study fish lagged behind other non-vegetarian foods as the favourite food among both urban and rural populations.
Blogger:
Dr. Sathish Prasad
Senior Scientist – Aquatic Animal Health
Growel Innovation Center,
RS NO.57, Chevuru Village, Sriharipuram Panchayat, Mudinepalli Mandal, Krishna District – Andhra Pradesh India – 521329
Email: [email protected]