Tripura Reigns Supreme in India's Fish Consumption League, New Study Shows

An eye-opening study that's set to shake up dinner tables across India has crowned Tripura as the undisputed champion of fish consumption, with Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana eating the least fish, exposing a culinary divide that spans the country.

The study, "Fish Consumption in India: Patterns and Trends,” unveiled by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India and WorldFish recently, also found a staggering 72.1% of the Indian population, equivalent to 966.9 million individuals, incorporate fish into their diet. The study used primary data from various Government sources including National Family Health Survey reports over last 15 years.

The research was conducted as a collaborative effort of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and WorldFish, along with the International Food Policy Research Institute, Government of India institutions, including the National Fisheries Development Board of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and the Marine Products Export Development Authority, and other leading organizations.

The data presented in this study not only emphasizes the significant growth in fish consumption across India reflective of growing affluence and evolving dietary preferencesin the country but also highlights the substantial potential for further expansion. 

ICAR’s Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) Dr. J.K. Jena said, “Comprehensive research is essential to grasp how fish consumption intersects with sociodemographic and economic factors at the household level. Recognizing the crucial role of fish in ensuring food security and combating undernutrition is vital for the health of our nation."

WorldFish Country Lead for India Dr. Arun Padiyar advocated for the integration of fish consumption into public health and nutrition strategies. "Adopting holistic and adaptable policies to enhance value chains can ensure the sustainability of our aquatic food systems and improve nutritional outcomes," he said. 

Key Statistics on Fish Consumption in India from “Fish Consumption in India: Patterns and Trends”

• Tripura, highest proportion of fish consumers at 99.35%.
• Haryana, lowest proportion of fish consumers at 20.55%.
• Northeastern and Eastern States, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Goa have more than 90% fish consumers, indicating a strong cultural inclination towards fish consumption.
• Northern States: Punjab (26.45%), Haryana (20.55%), and Rajasthan (22.5%) show the lowest percentages, reflecting dietary preferences and possibly the availability and cultural acceptance of fish.

• Kerala leads in daily consumption of fish with 53.5% of the population consuming fish daily, followed by Goa at 36.2%, West Bengal at 21.90%, Manipur at 19.70%, Assam at 13.10%, and Tripura at 11.50%.
• Assam and Tripura both lead in weekly consumption at 69%, followed by Odisha (66.8%), West Bengal (65.75%), Arunachal Pradesh (65.25%), and Tamil Nadu (58.2%).
• Jammu and Kashmir experienced the most significant increase in fish consumption at 20.9 percentage points over last 15 years.
• Punjab saw a decrease in fish consumers by 3.9 percentage points over last 15 years.
• The difference in fish consumption between men and women is wider in states with a lower overall consumption rate, potentially indicating men eating fish out of home .
• There is also a notable consumption gap between those who eat fish and those who consume all types of non-vegetarian foods. 
• India has observed a notable transformation in nonvegetarian food consumption patterns, with a significant uptick in the population including fish in their diet, climbing to 72.1%.
• India is the 3rd largest fish-producing nation, contributing about 8% to global fish production, and holds the position of the 2nd largest aquaculture producer. However, in terms of per capita fish food supply, India is positioned 129th among 183 countries.
• Per capita fish consumption increased 81.43%, from 4.9 kg to 8.89 kg, with a 4.05% annual growth rate in last 15 years. Among fish-eating populations, annual per capita consumption grew 66%.
• The study forecasts that if current trends persist, fish consumption in India is projected to double and reach 26.50 million metric tons in the centenary year of India’s freedom (2047–2048), with annual per capita fish consumption expected to reach 16.07 kg.