© Salmon Scotland
The deal, expected to take effect in 2025, paves the way for exports worth tens of millions of pounds every year, creating inward investment and well-paid jobs in Scotland.
As talks get underway, Indian High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Vikram K. Doraiswami, and Edinburgh-based Vice Consul Amit Chaudhary visited Mowi’s processing facility in Rosyth, Fife – the largest salmon processing plant in the UK.
“Visiting Mowi Scotland’s modern salmon processing, in this spectacular land of water and hills, has been a delight, particularly as we celebrate the announcement of successful conclusion of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement in 2025,’’ said Doraiswami in a press release. “This landmark agreement is set to boost bilateral trade, which has already crossed £40 billion, by reducing tariffs and streamlining market access. The Scottish salmon industry, a global leader exporting over £800 million in 2024, exemplifies the quality and innovation driving this partnership.’’
Ian Murray, secretary of state for Scotland, added, “The UK Government’s Brand Scotland initiative is laser focussed on selling the very best of Scotland to the world. Iconic and globally-renowned Scottish products like salmon – and our support for the sector – is an important part of that. I look forward to continuing to work with Scottish businesses and other key partners as we give our country the global platform it deserves.”
A major market, still untapped
India is the world’s third-largest fish market, with domestic use reaching nearly 12 million tonnes in 2021 – up 120 percent since 2005. Although most fish eaten is currently locally sourced, imports focus on premium seafood in major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, where demand for high-quality produce is rising.
India does not yet register on the list of nearly 50 countries where Scottish salmon is exported in significant quantity, but the wider Asian market is booming. Exports to China rose 60 percent in 2024 and volumes to Taiwan more than doubled – contributing to record international sales of more than £840 million and confirming Scottish salmon’s place as the UK’s top food export.
“With the removal of tariffs in the new trade deal between India and the UK, there is huge potential for the Scottish salmon sector to create a market for Scottish salmon in India, as has been done successfully in other markets, making Scottish salmon the largest food export in the UK,” said Ben Hadfield, Mowi’s chief operating officer of farming in Scotland, Ireland, the Faroes and Canada East.
