TPCI Highlights Growth Potential for Indian Processed Food Exports to UK Following CETA Implementation

India's processed food exports to the United Kingdom have substantial room for expansion, according to the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI). The assessment comes as India currently accounts for just 0.6 per cent—equivalent to $309.5 million—of Britain's total annual processed food imports of $50.68 billion.

India and the UK implemented a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 15 to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties. To further leverage this framework within the food processing sector, the TPCI has entered into a strategic memorandum of understanding with the UK-India Business Council (UKIBC).

The newly established partnership creates a dedicated framework for institutional business collaboration. According to the TPCI, the MoU focuses on connecting businesses, facilitating trade missions, sharing market intelligence, and generating growth opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in both nations.

TPCI Chairman Mohit Singla noted that the food and beverage sector forms a key growth corridor under the new trade framework. Under CETA, UK tariffs of up to 70 per cent on processed foods, duties ranging from 4.2 to 8.5 per cent on shrimp, and duties on instant coffee have been removed. This reduction provides immediate competitive parity for Indian producers in the British market.

Following the trade pact's entry into force, both the TPCI and UKIBC are actively engaged in bilateral trade development to help translate the post-FTA momentum into practical business outcomes.

As part of these joint initiatives, the organisations hosted the India-UK Trade Promotion Event on Food and Beverages in London on October 15. The event brought together 48 Indian exporting companies and 150 UK-based importers to foster direct business connections and explore partnership opportunities.

"The removal of substantial tariffs under the India-UK CETA opens up a direct pathway for Indian small and medium enterprises to scale their international operations. With the UK importing over $50 billion annually in processed foods and India currently capturing only a fraction of that market, the elimination of duties on key items like shrimp, instant coffee, and processed foods provides a strong level playing field. Exporters must now focus on meeting compliance standards and building direct B2B linkages with British importers to convert these tariff advantages into sustained commercial growth." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes