India has marked another major milestone in global trade with the signing of a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the United Kingdom on July 24, 2025. The agreement, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, was formalized by India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Mr. Jonathan Reynolds. This agreement is expected to provide significant relief and open new avenues for India’s seafood industry.
The new CETA framework, 99% of tariff lines will now enjoy full duty-free access. For the Indian seafood sector, this is a transformative development. Tariffs on high-value seafood products such as shrimp, squid, lobster, and pomfret have been eliminated, significantly enhancing the competitiveness of Indian exporters in the UK market.
Previously, these products attracted import duties ranging from 0% to 21.5%. With the elimination of these tariffs, products like vannamei shrimp, frozen squid, black tiger shrimp, and lobster will now enter the UK market at more attractive prices, making Indian seafood more appealing to British consumers.
The financial year 2024–25, India’s total marine product exports reached $7.38 billion (₹60,523 crore), with shrimp accounting for 66% of this value. Of this, exports to the UK stood at $104 million (₹879 crore). However, India’s share in the UK’s $5.4 billion seafood market was only 2.25%.
With CETA now in effect, experts expect India’s share in the UK seafood market to rise sharply—potentially up to 70%. This would result in substantial benefits for Indian fishermen, processors, and exporters.
India Emerging as a Global Seafood Hub:
Over the past decade, India's marine exports have grown by over 60%. The number of export destinations has increased from 100 to 130 countries, and the export of value-added seafood products has tripled to ₹7,666 crore.
Coastal states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, which already lead in seafood exports, are now poised to further strengthen their presence in premium markets like the UK by leveraging the benefits of CETA.
CETA: A new wave of Opportunities for Fisherfolk:
CETA is more than just a trade pact—it is a golden opportunity for millions of Indian fishermen. It is expected to not only increase their incomes but also position India as a global supplier of high-quality and sustainable seafood.
With this agreement, India now stands on equal footing with nations like Vietnam and Singapore, which already benefit from free trade agreements with the UK. CETA gives Indian exporters the level playing field they have long awaited.
