A significant milestone in India–UK economic relations was achieved with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 24. The agreement was formalized in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer.
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 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.
Frozen shrimp remained the top export
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 Rs 33,441.61 crore to 62,408 crore (88% growth).