Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said the Maldives has emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the United Kingdom’s decision to remove tariffs on imported fish, describing the development as a major commercial advantage for the country’s fisheries sector and export economy. Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office, Minister Shiyam noted that although the tariff removal applies to all countries exporting fish to the British market, the Maldives is the nation that stands to benefit the most from the measure due to the importance of the UK as a destination for Maldivian fish products and the efforts undertaken by the government to achieve this outcome.
The United Kingdom removed tariffs on fish imports on 20 May as part of broader measures aimed at reducing the cost of goods for consumers in the British market. Commenting on public criticism raised by the opposition, Minister Shiyam clarified that the decision was not introduced exclusively for the Maldives. However, he stressed that the Maldives has secured the greatest advantage from the change, both because of its strong trade position in the UK market and because of the sustained diplomatic and policy engagement carried out by the current administration since assuming office.
According to the minister, the government had prioritised the issue from the outset, and the removal of tariffs on Maldivian fish was raised consistently during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s official visit to the United Kingdom. He said the administration pursued the matter in every relevant meeting, underlining the importance of fisheries to the Maldivian economy and the need to create more favourable conditions for one of the country’s most valuable export industries. The minister added that this sustained engagement played a meaningful role in securing a decision that now offers direct commercial relief to Maldivian exporters.
The United Kingdom remains the second-largest export market for Maldivian fish, highlighting the strategic value of this development for the country’s trade outlook. At the same time, the Maldives is ranked as the ninth-largest supplier of fish to the UK, reflecting its established presence in a competitive international market. Minister Shiyam said these factors, together with the country’s advocacy and investment of effort, explain why the Maldives has made the greatest gains from the tariff change compared with other exporting nations.
As a result of the UK’s decision, the 20 per cent tariff that had previously been imposed on fish exported from the Maldives to the United Kingdom has now been suspended until the end of 2028. This is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Maldivian fish products, particularly tuna, in one of Europe’s most important seafood markets. The suspension offers exporters improved price positioning and greater scope to expand trade, while also supporting the continued international recognition of Maldivian fish as a high-quality product sourced from the country’s long-established and globally respected fisheries sector.
Before this change, many of the largest suppliers of tuna products to the UK already benefited from duty-free access, including Ecuador, Mauritius, Seychelles, Ghana, the Philippines, Spain and the Netherlands. In that context, the tariff previously imposed on Maldivian fish had placed the country at a comparative disadvantage despite the premium reputation of its tuna products. The suspension of the tariff therefore creates a more level commercial environment for Maldivian exporters and is expected to improve opportunities for growth, market retention and stronger long-term partnerships with buyers in the United Kingdom.
The Maldives exports tuna worth between £16.7 million and £18 million to the United Kingdom each year, making the British market a highly significant source of foreign revenue for the country. Industry stakeholders are expected to benefit from renewed momentum as the tariff suspension enhances trade prospects and supports the broader fisheries value chain, from processing and export to employment and income generation. The measure also reinforces international confidence in Maldivian seafood products and offers promising potential for the sector to build on its performance in key overseas markets.
The government has said it will continue discussions with the British government with the aim of securing a permanent removal of the tariff. Minister Shiyam’s remarks signal that the administration views this outcome not as an endpoint, but as an important step in a wider effort to strengthen the Maldives’ export position, protect the long-term interests of its fisheries sector and expand the country’s reach in global seafood trade. For the Maldives, the latest decision by the United Kingdom represents a highly encouraging development that supports national economic resilience and underscores the growing value of strategic international engagement in advancing the country’s trade priorities.
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