India’s seafood exports to the United Kingdom are set for a major leap following the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between India and the UK on July 24, 2025. The historic deal, endorsed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, grants duty-free access across 99% of UK tariff lines, including a broad spectrum of marine products.
Under the new agreement, Indian seafood such as shrimp, squid, pomfret, lobsters, and other high-value items now receive 100% tariff elimination under HS Codes 03, 15, 1603/1604/1605, and 23. These products, previously subject to duties as high as 21.5%, can now compete directly with those from Vietnam and Singapore, which already benefit from similar UK trade agreements.
India exported $7.38 billion worth of seafood globally in FY 2024–25, supplying over 130 countries. Yet its share in the UK market remained modest, accounting for just 2.25% of total imports, with frozen shrimp contributing $80 million out of the $104 million in total UK-bound shipments.
Industry projections now anticipate a 70% increase in seafood exports to the UK, fueled by enhanced price competitiveness and broader market access. Key coastal states, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, are expected to capitalize on this growth, with intensified efforts toward complying with UK sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations and improving supply chain traceability.
Beyond boosting exports, the agreement supports the livelihoods of an estimated 28 million Indians engaged in fisheries and allied sectors. The shift toward value-added seafood products, enabled by duty-free access, positions India as a stronger and more sustainable player in global marine trade.
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