Pakistan gets access to Russian seafood market

Likely to fetch $300m via exports; Moscow approves 16 processing plants

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has tapped a $300 million Russian seafood market with approval of 16 local processing plants for export of their products.

Russian seafood imports are estimated at around $3 billion and now Pakistan can make inroads into this vast market. At present, Pakistan's overall seafood exports stand close to $500 million per annum, which may double after entering the Russian market.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Friday announced a major breakthrough in Pakistan's fisheries sector as 16 local seafood processing plants were approved for exports to Russia.

In a statement, the minister described the development as a historic and landmark achievement for the Marine Fisheries Department, crediting sustained diplomatic efforts and technical measures.

"This paves the way for our first-ever shipments to Russia and the broader Eurasian market," he remarked, noting it would diversify exports beyond traditional destinations like China, Gulf nations, Southeast Asia, Europe and the US.

"Authorities in Russia have given approval for export of Pakistani seafood to their country through the registration of 16 processing plants in Pakistan," he said.

Pakistan's annual seafood exports, currently around $500 million, are projected to surge to $800 million in the coming years, with Russia alone expected to generate $300 million initially.

The entry into the Russian market will result in further access to member states of the Eurasian Economic Union, enabling Pakistani exporters to capitalise on high demand in Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, where urbanisation and protein-rich diets drive seafood consumption while local production remains limited.