MPEDA's Seafood Skill Olympiad showcases India's value-added seafood processing talent
New Delhi, July 2
Marine Products Export Development Authority concluded the second National Skill Olympiad on Seafood Value Addition during Seafood Expo Bharat 2026 in Kochi, bringing together ten trained seafood processing professionals who demonstrated culinary skills and technical expertise in preparing value-added seafood products, an official statement said on Thursday.
In the run-up to the event, MPEDA conducted 50 Seafood Value Addition Training Programs across the east and west coasts of India, through which more than 2,500 seafood processing workers and professionals were trained in preparing seafood products with high demand in international markets.
The ten finalists were selected from regional rounds held on June 30, 2026, and during the finale they prepared six products in demand in international markets-Nobashi shrimp, breaded butterfly shrimp, cooked peeled deveined tail-on (PDTO) shrimp, marinated shrimp skewers, breaded squid rings and fish fillets.
The winner received a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000, while the second and third prize winners received Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000, respectively. A consolation prize of Rs 25,000 was awarded to the fourth-position holder.
The participants were assessed on the basis of technical skill, hygiene, precision, presentation and the quality of the finished products.
Chairman, MPEDA, P. Jawahar, said the Olympiad represents an important milestone in building a resilient and globally competitive seafood sector capable of meeting the evolving expectations of international markets.
MPEDA is making sustained efforts to strengthen quality assurance, food safety, processing excellence, workforce skilling, sustainable seafood production and reliable supply chains, he said.
The event drew senior officials from the Central and state governments, seafood exporters, international buyers, industry leaders, technical experts and delegates participating in Seafood Expo Bharat 2026.
The award-winning value-added seafood products prepared by the finalists were showcased at the Skill Olympiad Pavilion, along with live demonstrations and tasting sessions featuring export-oriented seafood value-added products developed through MPEDA's training programmes.
A tasting session of the products was also organised at the MPEDA Skill Olympiad Pavilion.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Impressive that they're focusing on products like Nobashi shrimp and breaded squid rings that have high demand in international markets. This could really boost exports. But I hope they also ensure fair wages for the workers being trained—skill development should benefit everyone.
Kochi is the perfect place for this! As someone from Kerala, I know how rich our seafood tradition is. The tasting sessions sound amazing—wish I could have been there to try the marinated shrimp skewers. MPEDA is doing good work, but we need more such programs in smaller coastal towns too.
Great to see skill development in action! The focus on hygiene and food safety is crucial for international buyers. But I hope MPEDA also addresses sustainability in seafood sourcing—overfishing is a real concern. All the best to the winners! 🙌
2,500 trained professionals is no small feat. This Olympiad shows India is serious about building a skilled workforce for the global seafood market. The cash prizes are motivating too—Rs 1 lakh for the winner will definitely encourage more people to join this field. Good initiative!
As someone who loves seafood, I'm thrilled to see this! Value addition is where the real growth is—raw shrimp sells for less, but processed products like breaded butterfly shrimp can fetch premium prices. MPEDA should do more such events across India. Also, the tasting session sounds fun! 😋
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