Pakistan’s seafood exports have surpassed the $500 million milestone for the first time, marking a historic achievement for the country’s maritime sector and blue economy. The federal minister for maritime affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, announced that the target for the current fiscal year was reached 46 days before its close.
In a statement, the minister attributed the growth to reforms in the fisheries sector, improved facilitation for exporters, and efforts to access new international markets. He lauded the coordinated work of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Marine Fisheries Department, and other stakeholders in raising quality standards, modernizing the fisheries sector, and enhancing global market access.
Chaudhry highlighted that Pakistani seafood recently gained approval to enter the Russian market for the first time, with 16 companies authorized to export to Russia. This access could open doors to other Eurasian Economic Union markets, and the minister estimated annual exports could reach $800 million, with Russia alone potentially contributing $300 million. Seafood will be transported via sea, air, and land, including overland corridors to Central Asia, where demand is rising in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
The marine fisheries sector showed strong growth in the first half of fiscal 2025-26, with exports of 122,629 metric tonnes valued at $253.24 million from July to December 2025, up 19.1% in volume and 21.6% in value year-on-year. Frozen fish led exports, followed by shrimps and prawns, and frozen cuttlefish. Other exports included shrimp meal, crabs, sardines, mackerel, flatfish, and fish meal.
China remained the largest market, importing over 83,602 tonnes worth $149.2 million, nearly 59% of total exports. Thailand was second, importing mainly HACCP-processed shrimps and prawns. Exports to the UAE, Malaysia, Japan, the EU, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Kuwait, and the US also rose. Monthly export momentum peaked at $56.42 million in November and $55 million in December. Non-tax revenue from fisheries increased to Rs127.7 million from Rs118 million a year earlier.
Chaudhry noted that Pakistan secured a four-year extension for seafood exports to the US after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration classified Pakistani fisheries as comparable under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The government also announced a 100-acre seafood processing and export zone at Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority to boost the blue economy. For more on the blue economy concept, see Wikipedia.
Source: ARY News