New Delhi, July 2 (IANS) Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) concluded the second National Skill Olympiad on Seafood Value Addition during Seafood Expo Bharat 2026 in Kochi, bringing together ten trained seafood processing professionals who demonstrated culinary skills and technical expertise in preparing value-added seafood products, an official statement said on Thursday.

In the run-up to the event, MPEDA conducted 50 Seafood Value Addition Training Programs across the east and west coasts of India, through which more than 2,500 seafood processing workers and professionals were trained in preparing seafood products with high demand in international markets.

The ten finalists were selected from regional rounds held on June 30, 2026, and during the finale they prepared six products in demand in international markets—Nobashi shrimp, breaded butterfly shrimp, cooked peeled deveined tail-on (PDTO) shrimp, marinated shrimp skewers, breaded squid rings and fish fillets.

The winner received a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000, while the second and third prize winners received Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000, respectively. A consolation prize of Rs 25,000 was awarded to the fourth-position holder.

The participants were assessed on the basis of technical skill, hygiene, precision, presentation and the quality of the finished products.

Chairman, MPEDA, P. Jawahar, said the Olympiad represents an important milestone in building a resilient and globally competitive seafood sector capable of meeting the evolving expectations of international markets.

MPEDA is making sustained efforts to strengthen quality assurance, food safety, processing excellence, workforce skilling, sustainable seafood production and reliable supply chains, he said.

The event drew senior officials from the Central and state governments, seafood exporters, international buyers, industry leaders, technical experts and delegates participating in Seafood Expo Bharat 2026.

The award-winning value-added seafood products prepared by the finalists were showcased at the Skill Olympiad Pavilion, along with live demonstrations and tasting sessions featuring export-oriented seafood value-added products developed through MPEDA’s training programmes.

A tasting session of the products was also organised at the MPEDA Skill Olympiad Pavilion.

—IANS

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