72% of Indians Now Eat Fish: Seafood Consumption Surges in India

A new study by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) reveals a significant rise in fish consumption across the country. The proportion of Indians consuming fish has jumped from 66% to 72.1%, translating to an additional 32% of the population enjoying seafood. This trend, observed between 2005 and 2021, is attributed to factors like population growth, rising incomes, and changing dietary habits.

The study, titled "Fish Consumption In India: Patterns And Trends," highlights some interesting regional variations. Eastern and northeastern states, along with Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Goa, boast the highest fish-eating populations (over 90%). Conversely, northern states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan have the lowest consumption rates (below 30%).

However, the most surprising finding is the dramatic increase in Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state in India. Here, fish consumption witnessed a surge of 20.9 percentage points, the highest in the country. Additionally, Kerala and Goa emerged as the leaders in daily fish intake.

The study acknowledges a gender gap, with women consuming fish less frequently than men. It also found that urban areas have a higher proportion of people enjoying fish at least once a week compared to rural areas.

While fish consumption is on the rise, the study reveals it still lags behind other non-vegetarian options as the preferred protein source, both in urban and rural areas.