Australia has officially dethroned Norway to become India’s largest supplier of fresh and chilled salmon, marking a major milestone for the Australian seafood industry.
In 2024, Australian producers captured a commanding 75% share of India’s fresh whole Atlantic salmon imports — a dramatic leap from just 25% the year before. Norway, once the market leader, saw its volumes plummet from 161 tonnes to just 65 tonnes.
The surge has been driven by a combination of trade diplomacy and evolving Indian tastes. Thanks to the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), tariffs on Australian salmon have dropped from 30% in 2022 to 12.9% in 2024 — and are set to fall to zero by 2028. This has given Australian producers a price edge over competitors, fuelling growth in one of Asia’s fastest-expanding premium food markets.
Austrade, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, has played a key role in this seafood success story. Its trade advisors have worked closely with Indian importers, restaurants and chef associations to promote top-quality Tasmanian salmon. This strategic push has opened doors for producers like Tassal Group and Huon Aquaculture to meet India’s growing appetite for premium protein.
Murray Spence, Austrade’s Trade and Investment Commissioner for Agri-business in South Asia, said in a LinkedIn post:
“Thanks to our impeccable quality, consistent supply, and price competitiveness, we are seeing increasing interest from Indian importers and the HoReCa sector. Aussie salmon is now catering to a booming demand for premium seafood in India.”
India’s culinary landscape is evolving rapidly. High-end restaurants, rising disposable incomes, and the influence of shows like MasterChef Australia are transforming local tastes. The country’s strong tradition of fish consumption, especially in coastal regions, has further eased the path for salmon.
Beyond big business, the boom has also brought a boost to small, family-owned salmon farms in Tasmania. With exports nearing the billion-dollar mark, regional communities are reaping the benefits of global demand.
And salmon may just be the start. With the door now open, other premium Australian seafoods — including toothfish, bluefin tuna, barramundi, lobster and oysters — are poised to dive into the Indian market.
As Austrade put it on LinkedIn:
“Aussie salmon isn’t just swimming — it’s soaring.”
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