Duty-free market access under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is set to boost exports of premium chilled seafood and strengthen India’s presence in the UK seafood market.
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is set to begin exports of fresh chilled fish to the United Kingdom under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), marking a significant expansion of India’s seafood export portfolio beyond frozen products. The initiative aims to capitalize on duty-free access to the UK market while increasing the export of premium, high-value seafood products.
Under the agreement, which came into force on 15 July 2026, nearly 99% of Indian exports receive duty-free access to the UK. For the seafood sector, import tariffs on a wide range of fish and marine products have been eliminated, significantly improving the competitiveness of Indian exporters in one of Europe’s largest seafood markets.
MPEDA plans to initially export fresh chilled fish by air freight, enabling Indian exporters to supply premium-quality seafood with shorter transit times while maintaining freshness. The programme is expected to create new opportunities for exporters dealing in high-value marine species and diversify India’s seafood exports beyond its traditional frozen shrimp segment.
The UK currently imports around US$5.4 billion worth of seafood annually, while India’s share remains relatively small. Industry estimates suggest the India–UK CETA could increase India’s marine exports to the UK by around 70% over the coming years, supported by tariff elimination and improved market access.
India exported 1.78 million metric tonnes of seafood worth ₹60,523.89 crore (US$7.38 billion) in 2024–25, with frozen shrimp accounting for the largest share of export earnings. The addition of fresh chilled fish exports is expected to enhance product diversification, increase export value realization, and strengthen India’s reputation as a supplier of premium seafood products.
The initiative aligns with MPEDA’s strategy to expand value-added seafood exports, strengthen cold-chain logistics, and help Indian exporters access premium international markets. By leveraging the benefits of the India–UK CETA, the programme is expected to boost export earnings, support the fisheries sector, and reinforce India’s position as a leading global supplier of high-quality seafood.