Pakistan’s seafood exports hit record $568 million in FY2025-26

Pakistan’s exports of fish and fish preparations reached a record $568 million during fiscal year 2025-26, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Thursday.

In a statement, the minister said the performance reflected the government’s focus on strengthening the blue economy, expanding seafood exports and meeting international food safety and quality standards.

Frozen fish remained the leading export item, earning $105.09 million, followed by frozen squid and cuttlefish at $103.71 million, fish meal at $83.12 million, shrimps at $62.14 million, crabs at $36.89 million, sardines at $30.62 million, mackerels at $22.67 million, flat fish at $17.24 million, octopus at $15.18 million and minced fish meat, or surimi, at $14.63 million.

The minister said Pakistan’s seafood exports were mainly shipped to China, Thailand, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Indonesia and the United States.

Chaudhry said the record export performance was achieved despite disruptions to regional trade and maritime logistics caused by the situation in the Gulf region.

He said the government would continue strengthening quality assurance systems, diversifying export destinations, promoting value addition and improving the global competitiveness of the fisheries industry.

The minister added that a performance review ceremony would be held soon to recognise the top 10 fisheries exporters, with certificates of appreciation to be presented by the prime minister.

Pakistan’s seafood exports have seen mixed trends in recent years due to challenges including international restrictions, overfishing and raw material shortages.

In FY2024-25, seafood exports were earlier reported at $489.2 million, up 20.5% from $406 million, with export volume reaching 242,484 metric tons. Later data for the same fiscal year showed exports closing at $465.4 million, up 11.44% year-on-year, with a record volume of 216,350 metric tons, below the $500 million target.