India-UK trade deal: CETA opens duty-free access for Indian seafood; exporters eye 70% growth boost
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India-UK trade deal: CETA opens duty-free access for Indian seafood; exporters eye 70% growth boost
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is likely to provide a major boost to India’s seafood and export sectors. The agreement is expected to significantly benefit India’s marine exports by scrapping UK import tariffs that previously ranged from 0 to 21.5 per cent. The fisheries sector supports nearly 28 million livelihoods in India and accounts for 8 per cent of global fish production. India exported $104 million worth of seafood to the UK in 2024–25, with frozen shrimp accounting for $80 million alone. The number of destinations expanded from 100 to 130 countries, and value-added product exports tripled to Rs 7,666 crore, reflecting a shift towards premium markets.
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is likely to provide a major boost to India’s seafood and export sectors. The landmark pact was signed on Thursday, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and was formalised by commerce minister Piyush Goyal and UK secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds.As per news agency ANI, the agreement is expected to significantly benefit India’s marine exports by scrapping UK import tariffs that previously ranged from 0 to 21.5 per cent. These included duties on shrimp, squid, frozen pomfret, lobsters, and other seafood items under HS Codes 03, 05, 15, 23, 95, and 1603 to 1605.With CETA now in effect, all marine products in tariff category ‘A’ receive full duty exemption.However, certain prepared seafood items under HS 1601 remain excluded from benefits.India exported $104 million worth of seafood to the UK in 2024–25, with frozen shrimp accounting for $80 million alone. Despite this, India’s share in Britain’s $5.4 billion seafood market stands at just 2.25 per cent.Industry estimates now predict a 70 per cent increase in exports to the UK, supported by improved cost competitiveness, according to ANI.The fisheries sector supports nearly 28 million livelihoods in India and accounts for 8 per cent of global fish production.Over the past decade, seafood export volume jumped 60 per cent and value grew 88 per cent.According to ANI, the number of destinations expanded from 100 to 130 countries, and value-added product exports tripled to Rs 7,666 crore, reflecting a shift towards premium markets.CETA helps India level the field with countries like Vietnam and Singapore, which already enjoy UK duty benefits through their respective FTAs. This removes a key disadvantage previously faced by Indian exporters, especially for high-value products.States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh are well-positioned to lead this export surge, especially if they continue to align with the UK’s sanitary and phytosanitary standards.Experts say the deal’s scope goes beyond seafood. The landmark agreement provides zero-duty access to 99 per cent of tariff lines, with a key focus on labour-intensive areas other than seafood like textiles, leather, and gems and jewellery.It is expected to drive up exports in consumer goods, apparel, cosmetics, auto parts, and jewellery. As per news agency PTI, EY India’s Agneshwar Sen believes that Indian MSMEs and job creation in labour-heavy sectors would benefit, while UK firms gain deeper access to India’s growing market.The agreement also marks progress in services trade. ICRA chief economist Aditi Nayar was quoted by PTI as saying that India stands to gain from UK concessions in IT, financial services, education, and professional mobility.An added social security pact allows Indian professionals to be exempt from UK contributions for three years, making overseas employment more financially viable.
India’s Seafood Industry Poised To Ride CETA Wave With Estimated 70% Export Growth To UK –
CETA offers zero-duty access on 99% of tariff lines and opens up key services sectors. The agreement removes import tariffs on a wide range of seafood products, enhancing Indian exporters’ competitiveness in the UK market. India’s total seafood exports in 2024–25 reached $7.38 billion (₹60,523 crore), amounting to 1.78 million metric tonnes. Frozen shrimp remained the top export, accounting for 66% of earnings with $4.88 billion. The number of export destinations expanded from 100 to 130 countries, with value-added product exports tripling to ₹7,666.38 crore. The fisheries sector supports the livelihoods of approximately 28 million Indians and contributes around 8% of global fish production. The Indian seafood industry competes on par with countries like Singapore, which already benefit from FTAs with the United Kingdom and Vietnam. This agreement is a unique opportunity to step onto a broader goal of becoming a global leader in global seafood trade.
New Delhi : A significant milestone in India–UK economic relations was achieved with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 24, 2025. The agreement was formalized in the presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and was officially signed by India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, and the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Mr. Jonathan Reynolds.
CETA offers zero-duty access on 99% of tariff lines and opens up key services sectors. Notably, for the marine sector, the agreement removes import tariffs on a wide range of seafood products, enhancing Indian exporters’ competitiveness in the UK market. 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 labour-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, and gems and jewellery.
India’s key seafood exports to the UK currently include Vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), 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.
Under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), all fish and fisheries commodities falling under the UK tariff schedule categories marked ‘A’ now enjoy 100% duty-free access from the date of entry into force of the agreement.
HS Code 03: Fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates (e.g., shrimp, tuna, mackerel, sardines, squid, crab, cuttlefish, frozen pomfret, lobsters) HS Code 05: Coral, cowries, Artemia, etc. HS Code 15: Fish oils and marine fats HS Code 1603/1604/1605: Prepared or preserved seafood, caviar, extracts, and juices HS Code 23: Fish meal, fish & shrimp feed, and residues used in animal fodder HS Code 95: Fishing gear (rods, hooks, reels, etc.)
These products previously attracted tariffs ranging from 0% to 21.5%, all of which are now removed, substantially improving cost competitiveness in the UK market. However, products under HS 1601 (sausages and similar items) remain excluded under staging category ‘U’ and receive no preferential treatment.
India’s total seafood exports in 2024–25 reached $7.38 billion (₹60,523 crore), amounting to 1.78 million metric tonnes. Frozen shrimp remained the top export, accounting for 66% of earnings with $4.88 billion. Marine exports to the UK specifically were valued at $104 million (₹ 879 crore), with frozen shrimp alone contributing $80 million (77%). However, India’s share in the UK’s $5.4 billion seafood import market is just 2.25%. With CETA now in force, industry estimates project a 70% surge in marine exports to the UK in the coming years.
The fisheries sector supports the livelihoods of approximately 28 million Indians and contributes around 8% of global fish production. Between 2014–15 and 2024–25, India’s seafood exports rose from 10.51 lakh metric tonnes to 16.85 lakh metric tonnes (60% growth), while value increased from ₹33,441.61 crore to ₹62,408 crore (88% growth). The number of export destinations expanded from 100 to 130 countries, with value-added product exports tripling to ₹7,666.38 crore signaling a shift towards high-end global markets. Coastal states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, already key players in seafood exports, are well-positioned to capitalize on CETA. With targeted efforts to meet UK sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, these states can further expand their export footprint and enhance compliance with international norms.
The India–UK CETA marks a turning point for India’s fisheries sector not just by offering duty-free access to a premium market but also by uplifting coastal livelihoods, enhancing industry revenues, and strengthening India’s reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality, sustainable seafood. For fisherfolk, processors, and exporters alike, this is a unique opportunity to step onto a larger global stage. This agreement contributes meaningfully to India’s broader goal of becoming a global leader in sustainable marine trade.
Indian seafood now competes on par with countries like Vietnam and Singapore, which already benefit from FTAs with the UK i.e United Kingdom–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement -UK-VFTA and UK–Singapore Free Trade Agreement -UK-SFTA respectively. This levels the playing field and removes tariff disadvantages that Indian exporters previously faced especially for high-value products like shrimp and value-added goods. With India’s vast production capacity, skilled manpower, and improved traceability systems, CETA enables Indian exporters to seize a larger share of the UK market and diversify beyond traditional partners like the US and China.
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