This story is from August 29, 2021

CIFT to help fish export units upgrade testing labs

CIFT to help fish export units upgrade testing labs
Rajkot: Small fish exporting units of Gujarat finally see a silver lining in the dark times that had engulfed the industry after China took an adverse stand declining to take in Indian fish.
Hope now shines on state’s beleaguered fishing industry that enjoyed exports to around Rs 5,000 crore per annum in pre-Covid era, after the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) decided to help these units conduct their microbiology tests on the catch at their own laboratories.
The upgrading of the laboratory will not only improve export quality, but also reduce rejections by importing countries and industry players will be able to export to European countries without any hesitation.
The hub of fish processing in the state, Veraval town, has nearly 100 units where fish from all across the state is brought in for processing and exporting. There are a few units in Porbandar and south Gujarat too.
According to export rules, these processing units require an in-house laboratory for microbiology tests for detection of microorganisms in the food product. An exporter is required to create batches and test raw material as well as processed fish.
The hygiene standards of importing countries are very stringent and according to fish exporters, if they find the presence of microbes in the fish, the entire container faces rejection.
More rejections would result in getting the country’s export image tarnished.
According to sources in the industry, south India’s export is considered better than Gujarat in many countries in terms of quality.
Director of CIFT, Ravishankar C N on Saturday signed an MoU with four Veraval based units and one Porbandar-based unit in Veraval to upgrade exporters facilities.

Ashish Kumar Jha, scientist at CIFT Veraval said, “This is the first phase and we will sign MoUs with all those units which require upgrading. We will help them improve their standards, which will be able to meet international requirements. We will give them a standard layout like chemicals required for testing, environment control for temperature and humidity levels and other necessary equipment. Our scientists will personally visit their units and will provide the lab staff of these units with training.”
The rejection of container also costs high to the exporters, claim trade experts who peg the costs to around $25,000 for every rejection.
Secretary of Gujarat Seafood Exporters Association, Naresh Vanik said that the exporters only wish that their containers to Europe clear the tests for entry.
“Upgrading our labs will provide us with that security. If we detect any microbes in the raw fish, we will not process them further and won’t export them too. Thus, that will save our effort and cost. The improved quality will result in more demand from other countries than China.”
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About the Author
Nimesh Khakhariya

Nimesh Khakhariya is an assistant editor with Times Of India.

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