Indian seafood exporters set to seize larger share of UK market, go global: Govt
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer, marks a turning point for India's fisheries sector not just by offering duty-free access to a premium market but also by uplifting coastal livelihoods, enhancing industry revenues, and strengthening India's reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality, sustainable seafood.
"For fisherfolk, processors, and exporters alike, this is a unique opportunity to step onto a larger global stage. This agreement contributes meaningfully to India's broader goal of becoming a global leader in sustainable marine trade," said the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in a statement.
Indian seafood now competes on par with countries like Vietnam and Singapore, which already benefit from FTAs with the UK (UK-VFTA) and UK-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (UK-SFTA), respectively.
This levels the playing field and removes tariff disadvantages that Indian exporters previously faced, especially for high-value products like shrimp and value-added goods, said the ministry.
CETA offers zero-duty access on 99 per cent of tariff lines and opens up key services sectors.
Notably, for the marine sector, the agreement removes import tariffs on a wide range of seafood products, enhancing Indian exporters' competitiveness in the UK market. This is expected to particularly benefit exports of shrimp, frozen fish, and value-added marine products, boosting India's presence in one of its major seafood destinations alongside labour-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, and gems and jewellery.
India's total seafood exports in 2024–25 reached $7.38 billion (Rs 60,523 crore), amounting to 1.78 million metric tonnes. Frozen shrimp remained the top export, accounting for 66 per cent of earnings with $4.88 billion. Marine exports to the UK specifically were valued at $104 million (Rs 879 crore), with frozen shrimp alone contributing $80 million (77 per cent).
The key seafood exports to the UK currently include Vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), frozen squid, lobsters, frozen pomfret, and black tiger shrimp - all of which are expected to gain further market share under CETA's duty-free access, according to the government.
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