Status, Challenges and Future Prospects of Fish Processing Technology in India

Abstract

Fish processing technology plays a vital role in enhancing shelf life, ensuring food safety, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving the economic utilization of fisheries resources. In India, rapid growth in fish production from both marine and inland sectors has increased the demand for efficient post-harvest handling, processing, and value addition systems. However, the highly perishable nature of fish, combined with tropical climatic conditions, inadequate cold chain infrastructure, microbial spoilage, and limited adoption of advanced processing technologies, continues to pose significant challenges to the sector. This review critically examines the current status of fish processing technology in India, with emphasis on processing infrastructure, post-harvest handling practices, quality management systems, and traditional as well as modern preservation techniques. Major constraints affecting the sector, including technological gaps, skill shortages, food safety concerns, regulatory complexities, and stress-induced quality deterioration during harvesting and handling, are discussed. The review further highlights emerging trends and future prospects, focusing on advanced and non-thermal processing technologies, value-added product development, sustainable utilization of processing by-products, and digitalization of fish processing value chains. The findings underscore the need for an integrated approach that combines technological innovation, stress mitigation strategies, capacity building, and policy support to strengthen fish processing systems in India. Such an approach can enhance product quality, minimize losses, improve market competitiveness, and contribute to the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.