Pakistan's exports of fish, seafood and related products have exceeded the $500 million mark for the first time this fiscal year, Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Chaudhry announced on Saturday, calling it a "landmark achievement" for the maritime sector and the blue economy.
Strong Growth in First Half
The marine fisheries sector posted robust growth in the first half of fiscal 2025–26, with exports reaching 122,629 metric tonnes valued at $253.24 million between July and December 2025. In the same period the previous year, exports were 102,942 tonnes worth $208.25 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 19.1% in volume and 21.6% in value, according to Chaudhry.
Frozen fish remained the top export category with shipments of 26,669 tonnes valued at $53.33 million. Shrimps and prawns generated $40.46 million, and frozen cuttlefish contributed $36.13 million. Other exports including shrimp meal, crabs, sardines, mackerel, flatfish and fish meal helped broaden the product mix and boost value-added processing.
Key Markets and Diversification
"China remained the largest seafood market, importing more than 83,602 tonnes worth $149.2 million, or nearly 59% of total seafood exports. Thailand was the second-largest market, importing mainly Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)-processed shrimps and prawns valued at $31.3 million," Chaudhry said.
"Exports to the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Japan also rose, while diversification efforts expanded shipments to the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Kuwait and the United States."
The government's target of $500 million seafood exports was reached 46 days before the fiscal year end, amid reforms, improved facilitation and expansion into new markets. Chaudhry praised coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Marine Fisheries Department and other stakeholders to raise quality standards, modernise the fisheries sector and improve international market access.
New Market Access and Future Plans
Pakistan has in recent months moved to expand its fisheries exports, including opening new markets and improving processing standards, as part of a broader push to strengthen its external sector. "Pakistani fish and seafood had for the first time gained approval to enter the Russian market. To date, 16 Pakistani companies have been authorised to export seafood to Russia," the minister said, highlighting recent achievements.
Access to Russia could pave the way into other Eurasian markets that could take Pakistan's annual seafood exports to $800 million, with initial exports to Russia alone projected to bring about $300 million in revenue, according to the minister.
He announced the government would be establishing a 100-acre seafood processing and export zone at Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority to promote the blue economy and expand its role in global seafood trade. "Estimated at $60–80 million, the project would house 20–25 medium and large processing units for fish, shrimp and cephalopods, along with value-addition and export-grade packaging facilities," Chaudhry said. "The zone will include cold storage and blast-freezing facilities with multi-temperature storage from minus 18 to minus 40 degrees Celsius, ice plants and flake ice stations with daily production capacity of 50–100 tonnes."
