India’s seafood exports to the United Kingdom are poised to gain market share following the signing of the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The agreement provides zero-tariff access for a wide range of goods and opens up key services sectors in both countries.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the trade deal will particularly benefit Indian seafood exporters by eliminating UK import duties on major marine products such as Vannamei shrimp, lobsters and frozen pomfret.
“India’s key seafood exports to the UK currently include Vannamei shrimp , 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,” the Ministry said in a statement.
The agreement removes UK tariffs on a wide range of fish and fisheries commodities classified under the UK tariff schedule category ‘A’, granting them full duty-free access from the date the pact comes into effect.
The deal is also expected to boost other labour-intensive sectors that India exports to the UK, such as textiles, leather, and gems and jewellery. “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 sectors like textiles, leather, and gems and jewellery,” the government added.
India’s seafood exports were valued at $7.38 billion (₹60,523 crore) in the financial year 2024–25, with total export volume reaching 1.78 million metric tonnes. Frozen shrimp topped the list, accounting for 66 percent of the total value at $4.88 billion (₹40,050 crore).
Exports to the United Kingdom were valued at $104 million (₹879 crore) during the same period, with frozen shrimp making up nearly 77 percent of the total. However, India’s share in the UK’s $5.4 billion (₹45,000 crore) seafood import market remains modest at just 2.25 percent.
Industry estimates suggest that the CETA agreement could drive a 70 percent surge in Indian marine exports to the UK over the coming years.
Coastal states including Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are among the major contributors to India’s overall seafood exports.
With CETA now in place, India aims to leverage duty-free access to the UK to boost coastal livelihoods, increase industry revenues, and strengthen its reputation as a trusted source of high-quality, sustainable seafood. The Ministry noted that the agreement would also help Indian exporters diversify beyond traditional markets such as the United States and China.
(By arrangement with livemint.com)
