Scottish salmon keeps top UK export crown as India trade deal opens new £130m opportunity
Scottish salmon has once again confirmed its status as the United Kingdom’s leading food export, while new trade opportunities in India could deliver a further £130 million in exports over the next decade.
Figures published by HMRC show international sales of Scottish salmon reached £828 million in 2025, maintaining its position as the UK’s top food export ahead of products such as cheese, chocolate and lamb. Export volumes also reached a record 111,000 tonnes, reflecting continued global demand for the premium product.
The fish, farmed in the cold waters of the north-west Highlands, Argyll and Bute, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, was exported to 45 countries worldwide during the year. Growth has been particularly strong in Asia, where export value increased by more than 18 per cent, driven by rising demand in markets such as China and Vietnam.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said the figures demonstrate the continued international appetite for Scottish salmon.
“Scottish salmon is already the UK’s top food export, with international sales worth £828 million last year and strong demand across Asia,” he said.
“Today’s exports show the surging global appetite for Scottish salmon, a product widely regarded as the finest in the world and increasingly chosen by consumers who care about quality.”
France remains the largest export destination, accounting for around 42 per cent of total export value, followed by the United States with 40 per cent. By volume, Scottish salmon is also the single largest export passing through Heathrow Airport, with fresh fish transported daily on scheduled flights to markets across the world.
At home, salmon continues to dominate the seafood category, with UK retail sales rising 7.2 per cent to £1.5 billion in the year to August 2025, making it the country’s most popular fish.
The industry plays a major role in Scotland’s coastal economy, directly employing around 2,500 people and supporting a further 8,500 jobs across the wider supply chain.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said the latest export figures underline the importance of the sector.
“With an excellent reputation worldwide, it’s not surprising Scottish salmon remains in high demand despite a difficult global trading environment,” she said.
“It continues to be our biggest food export and these results are testament to the hard work of our salmon farmers and those in the supply chain.”
India emerges as the next major opportunity
While established markets in Europe and North America remain vital, the industry is now preparing for a potential breakthrough in India following last year’s UK–India free trade agreement.
Scottish salmon currently faces an import tariff of around 33 per cent when entering the Indian market. Under the new agreement, that barrier is expected to be removed when the deal comes into force later this year.
New analysis by Salmon Scotland suggests the change could unlock exports worth up to £130 million over the next decade, with annual sales potentially exceeding £30 million by the end of the decade under high-growth projections.
Tavish Scott said the removal of tariffs could transform India into one of Scotland’s most important emerging seafood markets.
“India now represents the next major opportunity,” he said. “With tariffs set to be removed, exports to India could deliver up to £130 million over the next decade, supporting jobs and investment in coastal communities across Scotland.
“We’ve seen in markets like China how quickly demand can build once trade barriers fall. India has the scale and economic momentum to follow a similar path.”
India, now one of the world’s largest consumer markets with a population of around 1.45 billion, is seeing rapid growth in demand for premium imported foods in major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai.
Although most seafood consumed in India is locally sourced, rising incomes and expanding middle-class consumers are driving demand for high-quality imported products. Scottish salmon’s reputation for premium quality and high production standards is expected to resonate strongly with this market.
Exports to India have so far remained modest – around 70 tonnes annually worth roughly £0.5 million – but the presence of existing supply chains suggests the market could expand quickly once tariffs fall.
Under high-growth projections, shipments could rise to more than 3,500 tonnes a year by the end of the decade, provided the industry can establish strong distribution networks and reliable cold-chain logistics.
Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said the trade agreement represents a significant opportunity for Scottish exporters.
“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,” she said.
“These figures highlight the sector’s exciting growth potential as a result of the agreement secured by the UK Government.”
Expanding into fast-growing global markets
The India opportunity forms part of a broader push to expand Scottish salmon exports into fast-growing markets across Asia and the Gulf region.
China offers a clear example of how quickly demand can grow once a market opens up. Exports to China approached £100 million in 2025, highlighting the potential scale of Asian demand.
Meanwhile, new trade agreements are also creating opportunities elsewhere. A recently concluded agreement with South Korea has secured permanent tariff-free access for UK goods, while negotiations continue with Gulf states including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
For the salmon sector, the key challenge will be ensuring that regulation and investment keep pace with growing global demand.
“Scotland’s salmon sector is already one of the most heavily regulated in the world,” Scott added.
“What we need is smarter, more effective regulation. If government gets that right, the sector can support more jobs, investment and economic growth.”
With record export volumes, rising demand in Asia and the prospect of a major new market opening in India, Scottish salmon appears well positioned to remain the UK’s flagship seafood export for years to come.
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