New Delhi, 02 July (H.S.): The second edition of the National Seafood Value Addition Skill Olympiad concluded on Wednesday during Seafood Expo Bharat 2026 in Kochi, Kerala. Organised by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), the competition showcased the expertise of ten trained seafood processing professionals in preparing value-added seafood products for international markets.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement on Thursday that the grand finale of the second National Seafood Value Addition Skill Olympiad was held as part of Seafood Expo Bharat 2026 in Kochi. The initiative brought together ten skilled professionals from the seafood processing sector, who demonstrated their culinary expertise and technical proficiency in producing value-added seafood products. Following a closely contested final, P. Surya Bhaskar of Devi Fisheries Limited, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, emerged as the winner.

According to the ministry, Muthu Kumaran of Theva & Company, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, secured the second position. Sagarika Sardar of SS Seafoods Private Limited, Kolkata, West Bengal, and Barasarani Jena of Sabari Food Products Private Limited, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, finished third and fourth, respectively.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said the winner received a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. The second and third prize winners were awarded Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000, respectively, while the fourth-place finisher received a consolation prize of Rs 25,000.

According to the ministry, prior to the Olympiad, MPEDA organised 50 training programmes on seafood value addition across India's eastern and western coasts. More than 2,500 seafood processing workers and professionals were trained through these programmes in producing value-added seafood products that are in high demand in international markets.

The regional rounds of the Olympiad were conducted in Mumbai for the western coastal region and in Visakhapatnam for the eastern coastal region. Based on these regional competitions held on June 30, ten finalists were selected for the grand finale.

During the final round, participants were tasked with preparing six internationally sought-after value-added seafood products, including Nobashi Shrimp, Breaded Butterfly Shrimp, Cooked Peeled Deveined Tail-on Shrimp, Marinated Shrimp Skewers, Breaded Squid Rings, and Fish Fillets.

The awards, comprising cash prizes, medals and certificates, were presented by MPEDA Chairman P. Jawahar, Director Dr. Ram Mohan M. K., Secretary Dr. Gibin Kumar, Joint Director Anil Kumar, and the Chief Guest, Dr. K. N. Raghavan, Chief Executive Officer of the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI).

Speaking on the occasion, MPEDA Chairman P. Jawahar described the Olympiad as a significant milestone in building a strong and globally competitive seafood sector capable of meeting the evolving expectations of international markets. He said MPEDA continues to strengthen quality assurance, food safety, processing excellence, workforce skill development, sustainable seafood production and resilient supply chains.

Jawahar added that the Olympiad serves as an important platform for strengthening India's seafood export ecosystem. The event was attended by senior officials from the Central and state governments, seafood exporters, international buyers, industry representatives, technical experts and delegates participating in Seafood Expo Bharat 2026.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar