Scottish salmon exports to India could deliver up to £130 million in new business over the next decade, new figures reveal.
Producers are preparing for a new drive into the market following last year’s UK-India trade deal which is expected to lift a 33% import duty.
This paves the way for exports that could rise to more than £30m a year by the end of the decade under high-growth projections.
Scottish salmon exports to India have remained modest at about £0.5 million a year up to 2022.
New analysis by trade body Salmon Scotland suggests India could become one of Scotland’s top overseas markets for salmon by the mid-2030s, as demand for premium seafood rises in major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai.
The India opportunity forms part of a wider push to expand Scottish salmon exports in fast-growing markets across Asia and the Gulf, amid progress on a series of key free trade deals.
China has shown how quickly demand can grow in Asia once a market opens up, with exports to the country close to £100m last year.
Salmon Scotland said India could follow a similar path as its premium food market expands, but that unlocking these opportunities will depend on regulation that supports sustainable growth and investment.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said: “Scottish salmon is already the UK’s top food export, with international sales worth £828 million last year and strong demand across Asia. India now represents the next major opportunity.”
Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill said: “The UK-India trade deal taking effect later this year presents a major opportunity for Scottish salmon – opening up another key market for exporters while boosting the economy.
“These figures highlight the sector’s exciting growth potential as a result of the agreement secured by the UK Government.”
The UK government is also advancing trade talks with Gulf states including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, while a new agreement with South Korea has secured permanent tariff-free access for UK goods.
Scottish salmon exports to South Korea rose sharply before the pandemic, and improved market access could help exporters capitalise on demand across Asia.
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