Fish exports cross $500m for first time

The export of fish and fisheries products has surpassed $500 million during the current fiscal year, driven by reforms in the fisheries sector, with the government also announcing a major infrastructure plan to establish a 100?acre seafood processing and export zone at Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority to promote the blue economy, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Saturday.

The minister said the government's target of $500 million for the current fiscal year was reached 46 days before the year?end. He attributed the milestone to government 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. He also commended Marine Fisheries Board Director General Dr Mansoor Wasan and his team for meeting the target ahead of schedule.

For the first time, Pakistani fish and seafood have gained approval to enter the Russian market, with 16 Pakistani companies authorised to export seafood to Russia. The minister said access to Russia could pave the way into other Eurasian Economic Union markets, with annual seafood exports projected to climb to $800 million. Initial exports to Russia alone are estimated to bring about $300 million in revenue.

Chaudhry noted that seafood will move via sea, air and land routes, adding that overland corridors to Central Asia offer cost?effective opportunities amid rising demand in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The marine fisheries sector posted strong 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, compared with 102,942 tonnes worth $208.25 million in the same period the previous year – a year?on?year increase of 19.1% in volume and 21.6% in value.

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. China remained the largest seafood market, importing more than 83,602 tonnes worth $149.2 million – 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.

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.

Monthly export momentum peaked at 56.42 million in November and 55 million in December, supported by seasonal demand and logistical improvements. Non?tax revenue from the fisheries sector increased to Rs127.7 million from Rs118 million a year earlier.

The minister also said Pakistan has secured a four?year extension for seafood exports to the United States after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration classified Pakistani fisheries as 'comparable' under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Announcing the infrastructure plan, Chaudhry said the government will establish a 100?acre seafood processing and export zone at Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority, estimated at $60?80 million. The project will house 20?25 medium and large processing units for fish, shrimp and cephalopods, along with value?addition and export?grade packaging facilities. 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.