Aussie salmon spawns export success in India

Australia has officially dethroned Norway to become India’s biggest supplier of fresh and chilled salmon. It is a major milestone for the Australian seafood industry.

Long considered Norway’s domain, the Indian imported salmon market is now teeming with top-quality Tasmanian fish.

In 2024, Australian producers captured a 75% share of India’s fresh whole Atlantic salmon imports — up from just 25% in 2023. Norway saw its volumes plunge from 161 tons to just 65 tonnes.

With total imports growing by 82 tons (a 37.4% jump year-on-year), India’s appetite for premium salmon is growing rapidly.

Table 1: Value of imported salmon in India, 2020–2024, A$ (000s)

Source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre (2025)

Reduced tariffs improve price advantage

Australian producers enjoy a price advantage over competitors, thanks to reduced tariffs under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA).

AI-ECTA dropped import duties on fresh, chilled and frozen salmon from 30% in 2022 to 12.9% in 2025. Tariffs will be phased out by 2028.

India has developed a taste for premium Australian salmon.

Austrade has worked tirelessly to help Australian salmon producers enter the Indian market. Austrade advisors promoted Australian salmon to restaurant and chef associations, importers and food processors. This made it easier for producers such as Tassal, Huon and others to access the market.

Tassal, Australia’s biggest seafood producer, was one of the first to access the market after AI-ECTA entered into force. Read a case study about Tassal’s successful market entry.

A growing taste for premium produce

AI-ECTA is one part of the story. The second is India’s fast-evolving culinary scene. High-end restaurants and the influence of shows like MasterChef Australia are driving interest in premium ingredients such as Australian lamb, barramundi, lobster and salmon. India’s deep-rooted love for fish across coastal regions has also eased market entry for salmon.

Salmon’s success story in India is also a win for small, family-owned businesses in Tasmania. The island’s salmon exports are now approaching a billion-dollar milestone, showing how much global growth opportunities can benefit regional communities.

Salmon has given Indian consumers a tantalising taste of premium Australian seafood. Other products — like Toothfish, bluefin tuna, barramundi, lobster and oysters — are now set to swim into India’s booming premium food market.