Kochi, May 19 (IANS): India's marine product exports have for the first time crossed $2 billion, according to official figures for financial year 2009-10 released here Tuesday.

Recession in the international market has not impacted the export of marine products from the country, the Marine Products Exports Development Authority said.

In terms of volumes too, 2009-10 was exceptional, it added. Exports aggregated 663,603 tonnes valued at Rs.9,921.46 crore. In terms of US dollars, it was $2,105.60 million.

Compared to the previous year, there was 10.08 percent growth in volume, 15.26 percent in rupee earning and 10.32 percent growth in US dollar earnings. Frozen shrimp continued to be the major export item accounting for 41.74 percent of the total dollar earnings.

Fish, the principal export item in terms of volume and the second largest in value terms, accounted for 38.37 percent in quantity and 20.09 percent in dollar earnings.

Export of live lobster, live crab and Baigai (little water snail) showed an increase in exports. However, the export of ornamental fish showed a declining trend, mainly because of a ban on export of Denisonii by the Kerala government.

The European Union remained the largest market with a share of 30.07 percent in dollar realization, followed by China with a share of 17.73 percent and Japan 12.96 percent.