UK-India Trade Milestone
Historic UK-India CETA Delivers First Tariff-Free Scottish Salmon to Bengaluru
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Key Points
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The value of the first sample consignment was $801.81, illustrating an immediate commercial scale for tariff-free Scottish salmon shipments into India.
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Kedarnath Reddy, CEO and Managing Director of Sashimi Foods Private Ltd., said the company was among the first Indian businesses to benefit from the UK–India CETA.
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Heathrow and UK trade officials, including Trade Minister Anas Sarwar, publicly hailed the shipment, highlighting government and aviation sector support for expanding UK–India trade.
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India is described as the world's third-largest fish market, with domestic consumption around 12 million tonnes in 2021 (up about 120% since 2005), underscoring strong demand for premium seafood imports.
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Ian Laister of Bakkafrost Scotland notes the timing of the shipment in relation to Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games, framing the deal as symbolizing enduring UK–India connections and mutual growth opportunities.
The first tariff-free shipment of Scottish salmon landed in Bengaluru, India, just two weeks after the UK-India trade deal came into force. India has scrapped its 33% tariff on Scottish salmon, opening what industry leaders say could be a £130 million export opportunity over the next decade, according to The Scotsman.
The salmon was harvested from Scotland's west coast by Bakkafrost Scotland and received by Sashimi Foods, an Indian importer. A deputy head of mission from the British Deputy High Commission in Bengaluru formally accepted the shipment, signalling strong government backing for the new trade relationship, Larder Magazine reported.
A 33% Tariff Removed, A Market Unlocked
Before the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, Scottish salmon faced a steep 33% import tariff every time it entered India. That made premium Scottish fish expensive and hard to sell. Now that tariff is gone. The first sample consignment was valued at just $801.81, but it marks the start of what could be a much larger commercial relationship, according to Salmon Business.
Scottish salmon is already a top UK export. International sales hit over £828 million in 2025, according to We Are Aquaculture. Industry groups say cutting the tariff makes Scottish salmon more affordable for Indian buyers and gives UK exporters a real edge in one of the world's fastest-growing seafood markets.
India's Booming Appetite for Premium Seafood
India is the world's third-largest fish market. Domestic consumption reached around 12 million tonnes in 2021 — up roughly 120% since 2005, according to The Shetland Times. That explosive growth means demand for premium imported seafood is rising fast, giving Scottish producers a ready audience.
Kedarnath Reddy, CEO of Sashimi Foods Private Ltd., said his company was among the first Indian businesses to benefit from the UK-India deal. The timing matters. India's middle class is expanding, and high-end restaurants in cities like Bengaluru are hungry for quality imported fish.
Bakkafrost and Glasgow Games Frame a Bigger Story
Ian Laister of Bakkafrost Scotland linked the shipment to Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games. He framed the deal as a symbol of lasting UK-India connections and shared growth. Trade Minister Anas Sarwar also publicly praised the shipment, along with Heathrow officials, highlighting strong government and aviation support for expanding the trade route, according to The Scotsman.
Bakkafrost farms its salmon on Scotland's west coast. The fish traveled thousands of miles to reach Bengaluru. Getting premium, sustainable Scottish salmon onto Indian plates in good condition is a logistical win — and a proof of concept for what larger shipments could look like, Salmon Business noted.
What a £130 Million Decade Could Look Like
Industry projections put the total export opportunity at up to £130 million over the next ten years, according to We Are Aquaculture. That is not guaranteed — it depends on building supply chains, growing consumer demand, and keeping prices competitive. But the first shipment shows the machinery is already moving.
Stakeholders say this deal could also lay the groundwork for broader seafood trade between the UK and India. If Scottish salmon proves popular, other premium UK seafood products may follow. For now, a single $801.81 consignment has become a symbol of something much bigger, The Shetland Times reported.
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