India’s Seafood Industry Gathers Momentum as UK Clears Marine Export Facilities under CETA

India’s seafood sector has gained a significant stride forward with the United Kingdom officially approving Indian establishments for the export of wild-caught marine fish and shrimp. Realised as a direct outcome of a major trade milestone between the two nations — the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 24, 2025. The agreement was formalized in the presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. It was officially signed by India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, and the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Mr. Jonathan Reynolds.

The development is expected to unlock considerable economic potential for India’s coastal economy. The move comes after a detailed inspection by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), following which 80 Indian seafood facilities were granted approval to export marine capture products directly to the UK market.

This regulatory clearance is being hailed as a breakthrough that is likely to enhance India’s seafood exports to the UK by nearly 70% in the coming years. The magnitude of this increase is not only a reflection of India's readiness to meet international quality standards, but also a reaffirmation of the bilateral economic trust developing between India and the United Kingdom. In a global trade landscape reshaped by Brexit, this decision gives fresh momentum to India’s efforts to strengthen sectoral ties with the UK, while diversifying its seafood export destinations.

Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) Chairman Shri D.V. Swamy termed the development a "landmark milestone" and attributed it to the continuous strengthening of India's export quality systems and hygiene standards. “This recognition reaffirms India’s commitment to meeting the highest international benchmarks in seafood production and export,” he stated. India had earlier secured access for aquaculture products to the UK, but the latest decision now allows exports from the marine capture sector — a vital and large part of India’s seafood economy.

The implications of this move go beyond market access. The direct export route will eliminate layers of intermediaries, ensuring better margins for Indian exporters and faster shipment cycles. Additionally, the approval is expected to generate new livelihood opportunities for fisherfolk, seafood processors, and ancillary workers in India's coastal states including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Odisha, which are major hubs for marine capture.

India is currently among the world’s top seafood exporters, and its exports crossed USD $7.38 billion in 2023–24. Marine capture fisheries contribute a significant portion to this total, featuring products such as ribbonfish, cuttlefish, squid, and black tiger shrimp. With the new UK clearance, India can now expand its presence in one of Europe’s leading seafood-consuming markets, improving trade resilience in an increasingly competitive and regulated global food economy.

The UK approval followed comprehensive audits of Indian seafood processing and hygiene practices. Indian facilities were evaluated on key parameters including traceability systems, food safety procedures, cold chain management, and environmental compliance. The outcome, a clean approval for 80 processing units, signals growing confidence in India’s regulatory ecosystem and export governance. It is also aligned with the strategic cooperation between the two countries under broader frameworks like the proposed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is currently under negotiation.

Officials from India’s Ministry of Commerce underscored that this positive outcome also reflects the government's proactive engagement with trade partners and its efforts to facilitate smoother market entry conditions for Indian exporters.

For Indian exporters, this development opens up new avenues for growth in value-added segments, eco-labelled products, and consumer-packaged seafood — areas increasingly in demand among UK consumers. MPEDA has announced plans to assist exporters in further aligning their production, labeling, and marketing practices with evolving UK regulatory and consumer expectations. This is expected to enhance product value, build brand India’s visibility in high-end markets, and promote sustainable fishing practices.

As India continues its ambitious path to expand its global trade footprint, such recognitions are essential not just for commercial success, but also for reinforcing India’s credibility as a responsible, high-quality, and dependable supplier. The MPEDA-DEFRA collaboration on this front is likely to pave the way for similar access in other sensitive product categories as well.