INDIAN DIPLOMAT SEES CUTTING-EDGE SALMON TECH AHEAD OF TRADE BOOST

A senior diplomat has seen first-hand the cutting-edge technology behind Scotland’s salmon sector as producers gear up for an export boost to India.

Siddharth Malik, Consul General of India, visited Bakkafrost Scotland’s Stronachullin farm at Loch Fyne, Argyll, as the UK and India move closer to a trade deal expected to remove the current 33 per cent tariff on salmon exports.

The visit on Thursday, April 16, comes amid growing confidence that India could become a major market for Scottish salmon, with estimates suggesting the opportunity could be worth up to £130 million over the next decade.

During the visit, Mr Malik was shown how artificial intelligence is being used in the farm’s feed tech room to help farmers monitor feeding and make real-time decisions.
The visit also included a trip offshore to see how salmon are farmed.

The delegation, which included Salmon Scotland chair Atholl Duncan and Bakkafrost Scotland managing director Ian Laister, also visited the feed barge to see how hybrid power systems are being used in day-to-day farm operations to help cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The visit formed part of ongoing discussions about the growing trade opportunity between Scotland’s salmon sector and India, as producers prepare for lower tariffs and the chance to build demand in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

Siddharth Malik, Consul General of India in Edinburgh, said:
“The visit was an excellent opportunity to witness the quality, sustainability and innovation that define Scotland’s salmon sector.

“It also highlighted how India and Scotland are already connected through supply chains, with Indian companies supplying fishing nets to support the aquaculture sector.
“The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement marks an important new chapter for Scotland’s food and drink industry.

“By reducing tariffs on products and improving customs facilitation, CETA has the potential to open fresh opportunities for premium Scottish produce in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.

“This is good news not only for the industry, but for the wider economic partnership between India and Scotland.”

Most fish eaten in India is sourced locally, but demand for premium imported seafood is rising quickly in major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai.
Scottish salmon’s reputation for quality and high standards is expected to appeal strongly to those consumers.

Exports to India have so far remained modest, reaching around 70 tonnes a year worth roughly £0.5 million up to 2022, suggesting early demand and supply chains are already in place.

Salmon Scotland believes India could become a significant market, with higher-growth projections pointing to exports of more than 3,500 tonnes a year by the end of the decade.
Scottish salmon is the UK’s top food export, with global sales worth more than £800 million annually.

Atholl Duncan, chair of Salmon Scotland, said:
“This visit was an important chance to showcase the care, expertise, and innovation behind salmon farming in Scotland.
“India is an exciting growth market and, with tariffs set to fall, there is a real opportunity to strengthen trade links in the years ahead.
“Opening up new markets helps support jobs, investment, and economic activity in coastal communities across Scotland.
“We appreciated the opportunity to discuss future trade with the Consul General and to demonstrate why Scottish salmon is trusted by customers around the world.”

Ian Laister, managing director of Bakkafrost Scotland, said:
“Welcoming the Consul General to Loch Fyne was a great opportunity to show the innovation, skill, and care that go into producing Scottish salmon.
“From advanced feed technology and fish health monitoring to lower-emission operations, we are continually raising standards.
“As trade barriers reduce, we see real potential to build strong, long-term export relationships that support sustainable growth and bring lasting benefits to coastal communities.”