The Forum of Indian Food Importers (FIFI), in collaboration with the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) and Scottish Salmon, has brought together Scottish seafood producers, Indian importers, executive chefs and hospitality professionals to explore trade opportunities for Scottish salmon in India.

Held at The Imperial, New Delhi, the engagement featured an industry roundtable, B2B matchmaking showcase and networking reception focused on strengthening commercial connections between Scottish producers and Indian buyers across the retail and hospitality sectors.

The initiative facilitated 33 direct B2B interactions between Scottish salmon producers, including Scottish Sea Farms, Mowi Scotland, Bakkafrost Scotland and Loch Duart, and established Indian importers and distributors. Discussions covered sourcing opportunities, cold-chain requirements, import compliance protocols and distribution channels, helping participants assess the practical considerations involved in bringing premium seafood products to the Indian market.

Speaking on the initiative, Amit Lohani, Founder Director, FIFI, said India offers significant opportunities for international food producers, but converting market potential into sustainable business requires an understanding of import regulations, supply-chain requirements and buyer expectations.

He added that direct engagement between producers and importers helps businesses evaluate sourcing possibilities and build reliable trade relationships. Through such initiatives, FIFI aims to strengthen food import channels and expand choices for India's hospitality and food service industry.

The networking reception featured addresses by Penny Rogers, Agriculture, Food & Drink Attaché at the British High Commission in India; Dr Kishore Jayaraman, Group CEO of UKIBC; James Park, Head of International Trade and Engagement at Scottish Salmon; and Amit Lohani, Founder Director of FIFI.

The speakers highlighted the commercial relationship between India and the United Kingdom, emphasising the role of direct business engagement in translating bilateral trade frameworks into practical opportunities for companies.

For India's hospitality sector, international sourcing involves considerations beyond product availability. Consistent quality, import compliance, cold-chain management and dependable distribution are important factors for hotels, restaurants and food service operators evaluating imported seafood for their menus.

By bringing producers, importers and hospitality stakeholders into direct discussions, the initiative created a platform to explore procurement requirements and potential routes to market. The interactions also provided an opportunity for businesses to assess the operational requirements associated with sourcing Scottish salmon for the Indian market.

The engagement reinforces FIFI's role in facilitating international food trade and connecting global producers with Indian importers and hospitality businesses. It also highlights the importance of industry-level collaboration in developing sourcing relationships and exploring long-term commercial opportunities across India's food service and retail markets.