A UK-India trade deal expected to remove the 33 percent tariff on Scottish salmon exports could open a market opportunity worth up to GB£130 million over the next decade, following a visit by Indian Consul General Siddharth Malik to Bakkafrost Scotland’s Loch Fyne facility.
Scottish salmon exports to India have so far remained modest, reaching approximately 70 tonnes annually worth roughly GB£0.5 million up to 2022. However, Salmon Scotland projects that exports could exceed 3500 tonnes per year by the end of the decade as tariffs fall and demand for premium imported seafood rises in major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai.
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the UK and India is expected to reduce trade barriers and improve customs facilitation, benefiting not only Scottish salmon producers but also Indian exporters in sectors including textiles, food products, seafood and pharma.
During his visit to Bakkafrost Scotland’s Stronachullin farm on 16 April, Malik was shown AI-powered feed technology and hybrid power systems. He said the trade deal “marks an important new chapter for Scotland’s food and drink industry” and “has the potential to open fresh opportunities for premium Scottish produce in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.”
Atholl Duncan, chair of Salmon Scotland, said: “India is an exciting growth market and, with tariffs set to fall, there is a real opportunity to strengthen trade links in the years ahead. Opening up new markets helps support jobs, investment and economic activity in coastal communities across Scotland.”
Scottish salmon is the UK’s top food export, with global sales worth more than £800 million annually. Most fish eaten in India is sourced locally, but demand for premium imported seafood is rising quickly, with Scottish salmon’s reputation for quality and high standards expected to appeal strongly to Indian consumers.
