The recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom is set to deliver a significant boost to India’s seafood industry. As part of the agreement, more than 99% of Indian goods, including marine products, will now enjoy duty-free access to the UK market. This development is particularly beneficial to India’s seafood exporters, who have long faced tariff barriers that limited their competitiveness in European markets.
Elimination of Tariffs: Indian exports such as shrimp, tuna, frozen fish, lobsters, fishmeal, and feeds will now enter the UK market with zero import duties. Previously, these products faced tariffs as high as 8.5%.
Export Growth Potential: With improved pricing advantage, Indian seafood exporters expect a surge of up to 70% in shipment volumes to the UK. This could significantly raise India’s market share in the UK’s seafood import sector, which is currently estimated at over USD 5 billion annually.
Wider Market Access: India’s seafood industry has traditionally catered to the US and East Asian markets. This FTA opens up new possibilities in Europe, providing Indian exporters a chance to diversify and reduce overdependence on specific markets.
Improved Earnings for Coastal Communities: The Indian seafood sector supports nearly 28 million livelihoods, especially in coastal states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. With higher export orders and better price realization, fishers, small processors, and traders are likely to benefit directly.
In 2024–25, India’s total seafood exports stood at approximately USD 7.4 billion, with frozen shrimp alone accounting for over 60% of the total value. The UK market, although previously limited by tariffs, imported about USD 100 million worth of Indian marine products last year. With the new FTA in place, industry experts believe this number could double in the next two years.
The agreement also streamlines sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) protocols, ensuring smoother certification processes and reducing the likelihood of consignment rejections. This alignment with UK standards is expected to enhance buyer confidence and long-term contracts for Indian exporters.
The FTA not only enhances India’s seafood trade but also places it on a more competitive footing with countries like Vietnam and Thailand, which already have trade agreements with the UK. It levels the playing field and reinforces India’s ambition to become a global seafood powerhouse.
The India–UK Free Trade Agreement is a game-changer for India’s seafood industry. It removes longstanding tariff obstacles, unlocks new export opportunities, and supports the livelihoods of millions in the coastal economy. As the first major European FTA signed by India, it sets a strong precedent for future trade deals and reinforces India’s global standing in the fisheries sector.
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