KOCHI, 18 July 2026: The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) concluded the second National Skill Olympiad on Seafood Value Addition during Seafood Expo Bharat 2026, showcasing India's growing expertise in seafood processing and value addition.
P. Surya Bhaskar of Devi Fisheries Ltd., Kakinada, won the national title, while Muthu Kumaran of Theva & Co., Tuticorin secured second place. Sagarika Sardar of SS Seafoods Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata, and Barasarani Jena of Sabri Food Products Pvt. Ltd., Bhubaneswar, finished third and fourth, respectively. Winners received cash prizes ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh.
Ahead of the competition, MPEDA conducted 50 seafood value addition training programmes across India's east and west coasts, training more than 2,500 seafood processing professionals in preparing export-oriented seafood products.
During the grand finale, the ten finalists prepared six internationally demanded seafood products, including Nobashi shrimp, breaded butterfly shrimp, cooked peeled deveined tail-on shrimp, marinated shrimp skewers, breaded squid rings and fish fillets. Participants were evaluated on technical skills, hygiene, precision, presentation and product quality.
MPEDA Chairman P. Jawahar said the Skill Olympiad strengthens India's seafood export ecosystem by promoting workforce development, food safety, quality assurance and processing excellence to meet evolving global market requirements.
The event concluded with live demonstrations and tasting sessions of export-oriented value-added seafood products at the MPEDA Skill Olympiad Pavilion, attended by government officials, seafood exporters, international buyers and industry stakeholders.
