New Delhi, July 3 (IANS): Indian marine products' exports reached an all-time high in 2014-15 at 10,51,243 million tonnes worth Rs.33,441 crore ($5.5 billion), an official statement said on Friday.

Marine products exports, which include frozen shrimp, fish, and cuttle fish, and other items, grew by 6.86 percent in quantity, 10.69 percent in rupee terms and 10.05 in US dollar earnings, the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.

The value of the exports increased from $1.3 billion in 2003-04 to $5.5 billion now.

At $3.7 billion, frozen shrimp was at the highest in terms of both quantity and value, accounted for 34 percent of the exports and 67.19 percent of dollar earnings.

US is the major export destination with a share of 26 percent followed by Southeast Asia at also 26 percent, European Union at 20 percent, Japan, 9 percent, Middle East, 6 percent and others 9 percent, the statement said.

Exports to the US grew by 16.94 percent in quantity and 13.39 percent in dollar earnings.

However, exports to China saw negative growth in the last year and fell by 21.46 percent in quantity, 23.64 percent in rupee value and 24.45 percent in dollar terms, the statement added.

Except China, all other export destinations saw growth in 2014-15.

Exports value geography wise are: Japan, Rs.3,040 crore/$502.29 million, US, Rs.8,830 crore/$1.45 billion, European Union, Rs.6,715 crore/$1.1 billion, China, Rs.1,349 crore/$221 million, Southeast Asia, Rs.8,620 crore/$1.4 billion, Middle East, Rs.2,020 crore/$333 million and others, Rs.2,864 crore/$410 million.

The marine products were exported from as many as 30 different sea, air and land exit points in India including Vizag, Kochi, Kolkata, Tuticorin, Krishnapatnam and Mangalore, the statement added.

Pipavav port registered the highest exports amounting to 25.27 percent while Vizag accounted for the highest amount of dollar earnings at 22.59 percent.