Pakistan’s marine fisheries sector has shown strong growth in the first half of the fiscal year 2025- 26, with seafood exports reaching 122,629 metric tons valued at $253.24 million between July and December 2025. This marks a 22% increase in export value compared with the same period last year.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, said the numbers reflect Pakistan’s growing competitiveness in global seafood markets, supported by upgraded processing facilities, better cold-chain logistics, and adherence to international certification standards.
“Fisheries are a key pillar of our maritime economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of livelihoods in Sindh and Balochistan,” the minister said, noting that the sector contributes around one percent of the national GDP.
Frozen fish led Pakistan’s seafood exports, totaling 26,669 metric tons worth $53.33 million, followed by shrimps and prawns at $40.46 million and frozen cuttlefish at $36.13 million. Other products, including shrimp meal, crabs, sardines, and fish meal, contributed to a more diversified export basket, highlighting growth in value-added processing.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Exports (H1 FY26) | 122,629 MT worth $253.24 million |
| Year-on-Year Growth | Volume: +19.1%, Value: +21.6% |
| Top Export Markets | |
| China | 83,602 MT, $149.2M (59% of total exports) |
| Thailand | $31.3M (mainly shrimps & prawns, HACCP-certified) |
| UAE | Rising shipments of cuttlefish & fish meal |
| Malaysia | Increasing exports of shrimps & cuttlefish |
| Japan | Growing imports of cuttlefish & fish meal |
| EU, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Kuwait, USA | Gradually expanding export footprint |
| Leading Export Categories | |
| Frozen Fish | 26,669 MT, $53.33M |
| Shrimps & Prawns | $40.46M |
| Frozen Cuttlefish | $36.13M |
| Other Products | Shrimp meal, crabs, sardines, mackerel, flatfish, fish meal |
| Monthly Export Peaks | November: $56.42M, December: $55M |
| Non-Tax Revenue (Fisheries) | Rs127.7M (~$460,000), up from Rs118M in 2025 |
Chaudhry attributed the gains to government efforts under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, including collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on sustainable fishing practices and investments in Karachi and Gwadar port infrastructure.
“These developments signal the fisheries sector’s rising role in foreign exchange earnings and economic stability,” he said, while emphasizing regulatory compliance and environmental protection to safeguard marine biodiversity.
Challenges such as climate impacts on migratory species remain, but the adoption of tools like eDNA monitoring and broader blue economy strategies are expected to further enhance sustainable growth.