The Gulf trade bloc accounted for 54% of all Scottish salmon exported to the Middle East and North Africa last year.
Photo: Salmon Scotland.
Following the UK's free trade agreements with India and South Korea, a new deal between the United Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) guarantees permanent tariff-free access for UK goods to Gulf states. Amid global economic uncertainty, Salmon Scotland expects this agreement to boost Scottish salmon exports to the region.
Specifically, the agreement signed last week eliminates 5% tariffs on some salmon exports, guaranteeing their free access to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
"Removing tariffs and improving market access across the trading bloc will increase the opportunities for our producers to grow Scottish salmon exports to the region," said the CEO of Salmon Scotland, Tavish Scott, commenting on the deal.
"We welcome the work and ambition across the UK Government and the GCC economic alliance to make this agreement and we look forward to its ratification and entry into force," he added.
With 670 tons, in 2025, Scottish salmon exports to the GCC states reached GBP 6.5 million. The UAE was the largest importer, with a market worth GBP 3.9 million. Qatar was the second largest, with exports growing 30% in a year to 79 tons.
Figures from the UK's HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue & Customs) indicate that the Gulf trade bloc accounts for more than half—54%, to be precise—of all Scottish salmon exported to the Middle East and North Africa region.
Therefore, exports to the GCC contributed to international sales of over GBP 828 million last year. According to Salmon Scotland, this demonstrates the great interest that exists in the Gulf states for what, in 2025, was once again the king of UK food exports.
The UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain are also among the 94 countries to which Scottish salmon was exported over the past decade, according to a report by the trade body Salmon Scotland based on data published by the UK's HMRC. Overseas sales during that period reached a value of more than GBP 6 billion.
In its statement celebrating the trade agreement, Salmon Scotland also stated that, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has created greater uncertainty in market access, as well as higher air freight and insurance costs, sales have remained strong in 2026.
The trade body claimed that both exporters and distributors seek to maintain a regular supply for consumers throughout the region, an objective that this agreement is expected to contribute to.
"Stability and international support at a time of international volatility is important for solidarity with our trading partners as well as for our exporters and customers," Tavish Scott pointed out.
Amid growing overseas demand, Scottish salmon is also the UK's favourite fish, with sales soaring to GBP 1.5 billion in the 12 months to August 2025.
