The United Kingdom has suspended tariffs on tuna imports from the Maldives effective May 20, 2026, in a move expected to provide significant support to the country’s fisheries sector and improve access to one of its key export markets.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu welcomed the decision in a post shared on X, stating that the development would strengthen fishermen’s incomes, support livelihoods across islands and expand opportunities for sustainably caught Maldivian tuna within the UK market. He also described the decision as a reflection of the close partnership between the Maldives and the United Kingdom.

According to available trade data, the Maldives exports between 16.7 million and 18 million pounds of marine fish products to the UK annually, making it the ninth largest exporter of marine fish products to the British market. Authorities stated that the UK has suspended the 20 per cent tariff on Maldivian fish exports until 2028, while discussions are expected to continue with the aim of securing a longer-term arrangement.

The UK remains one of the Maldives’ most important fisheries export destinations, particularly for processed and value-added fish products. Unlike some larger export markets that mainly import raw fish for processing, the British market imports packaged and processed tuna products prepared in the Maldives, allowing greater economic value to remain within the country through employment and local production activities.

The Maldives previously benefited from tariff-free access to UK and European markets under preferential trade arrangements available to least-developed countries. However, following the country’s graduation from least-developed country status in 2011, tariff concessions were gradually phased out before duties of up to 24 per cent were imposed after the transition period ended in 2014.

Successive governments had since engaged in negotiations aimed at securing improved trade arrangements for Maldivian fish exports. Following Brexit, separate discussions continued with the UK after British trade policies diverged from the European Union framework. Under the tariff structure introduced by the UK in 2021, Maldivian fish products faced duties of around 20 per cent.

The current Administration had identified the fisheries sector as a priority area, with President Dr Muizzu holding meetings with senior UK officials during a visit to the United Kingdom last year. During the visit, the Maldives also launched its “From Maldives” fisheries branding initiative at the UK-Maldives Business Forum in efforts to strengthen the international positioning of Maldivian fish products.

The fisheries industry remains one of the Maldives’ most important economic sectors and a major source of export revenue and employment. Industry stakeholders expect the suspension of tariffs to improve the competitiveness of Maldivian tuna products within the UK market following more than a decade of trade barriers and tariff-related challenges.