Opinion: A new frontier for Scottish salmon
In just over a fortnight from the new UK-India free trade deal coming into force last month, fresh Scottish salmon was gracing some of India’s top tables.
Raised in the waters off Scotland’s west coast by Bakkafrost Scotland, this first major shipment to India represents a historic breakthrough for our sector and will be followed by other Scottish companies.
This demonstrates that Scottish producers are serious about making the most of the new opportunity. With the new deal coming into effect, a prohibitive 33% tariff that had previously severely limited our ability to trade with the world’s most populous nation has been swept away.
India is a phenomenal, largely untapped market for our premium and sustainable product. It is the world’s third-largest fish market, with domestic consumption reaching nearly 12 million tonnes. While the majority of fish eaten there is locally sourced, imports of premium seafood are surging in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, where a rapidly growing middle class is increasingly seeking healthy, high-quality produce. Scottish salmon fits perfectly into this high-end market.
The potential here is vast, paving the way for exports worth tens of millions of pounds every year. Recently, the previous Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram K Doraiswami, travelled to Mowi’s processing plant in Rosyth to see the scale and quality of our operations. He rightly noted that reducing trade barriers will allow India’s restaurateurs and consumers to affordably access premium Scottish salmon, enhancing choice and fostering economic growth in both nations.
He was not the only Indian diplomat to travel to a Scottish salmon farm, as Siddharth Malik, Consul General of India, visited Bakkafrost Scotland’s Stronachullin farm at Loch Fyne, Argyll, where he saw the expertise and innovation which informs daily operations. He stressed the fresh opportunities provided by the free trade agreement and highlighted the importance to the wider economic partnership between India and Scotland. These visits underline the huge potential envisioned not just for the Scottish salmon sector, but for the Scottish and UK economy.
However, as we learned earlier this year during discussions at the Gulfood event in Dubai, the potential for sales volume is only one part of the story in India. The other is the approach. Salmon lends itself well to being incorporated into Indian dishes, utilising flavours and spices that do not normally feature in Western European diets. This culinary adaptation has the potential to become a significant trend, and our sector should be at the forefront in this shift in thinking.
New markets are essential
This breakthrough in India comes at a crucial time for global trade. We are navigating an era of profound trade disruption and volatility, and diversifying our markets has never been more important.
Over the past decade, overseas sales of Scottish salmon have soared past the
£6 billion mark, reaching nearly 100 different global markets. The recent free trade deal between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has ensured permanent tariff-free access to countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, removing 5% tariffs and providing vital stability amid Middle Eastern volatility. In Asia, we are seeing a genuine boom. Exports to China surged by 60%, and volumes to Taiwan more than doubled, contributing to international sales that now exceed £828 million, cementing our place as the UK’s biggest food export. Closer to home, progress towards a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU promises to finally ease the costly post-Brexit red tape at the Channel, speeding up deliveries to our largest market.
But why does this international globe-trotting matter to a crofter in the Highlands or a marine engineer in Glasgow? Because global exports are the engine of our rural economy. The tens of millions of pounds in new exports unlocked by the India deal will directly support well-paid jobs, investment and growth here at home. Our sector adds an astonishing £1 billion a year to Scotland’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs across the country. We pay an average salary of £44,500 in coastal and island communities where well-paid jobs are scarce. This is how we combat rural depopulation, ensuring that local businesses actively prosper rather than merely survive. Every fresh fillet shipped to Bengaluru, Dubai or Paris helps sustain families, schools and essential services in remote parts of Scotland.
However, if we are to fully capitalise on these massive global opportunities, our politicians must back their warm words with concrete action. The stark reality is that while global demand for our world-class product continues to soar, our domestic production has increased by just 1.8% per year over the past decade. We are competing fiercely with nations like Norway and Chile, who are not waiting for Scotland to catch up.
To meet this rising international demand sustainably, we need smarter, more effective regulation. The Scottish Government and UK ministers have made all the right noises about growth and food security. Now, they must deliver.
The opening of the Indian market is a monumental achievement for our farmers and our supply chain. The global appetite for Scottish salmon has never been stronger. Let us ensure that our domestic policy environment matches that international ambition, slashing the red tape and allowing our sector to grow, invest and bring our premium produce to even more of the world’s tables.
Tavish Scott is Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland.
Why not try these links to see what our Fish Farmer AI can tell you.
(Please note this is an experimental service)
You May Also Like
© 2026 Fish Farmer.