Pakistan Seafood Exports Hit $173 Million

Pakistan’s seafood industry is showing steady growth, with exports reaching $173.7 million during the first five months of the financial year 2025-26. The rise in international demand for Pakistani fish and seafood products is contributing to foreign exchange earnings and supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Key export products include frozen fish, shrimp, and cuttlefish, with shrimp alone contributing over $45 million. Major export destinations include the USA, China, Europe, and Middle East markets. Experts attribute the growth to the high quality of Pakistani seafood, competitive pricing, and compliance with international health and safety standards.

The government is encouraging value-added processing, modernizing fisheries infrastructure, and promoting cold-chain logistics to increase competitiveness in global markets. Fisheries ministry officials emphasized sustainable harvesting, modern processing, and exploring new markets as key strategies to expand Pakistan’s share in the international seafood trade.

Seafood exports not only boost foreign earnings but also support thousands of jobs in fishing, processing, logistics, and export services across coastal provinces such as Sindh and Balochistan. Analysts predict that with continued investment in quality and infrastructure, Pakistan’s seafood exports are likely to grow even further in the current financial year.

This progress highlights Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the global seafood market and enhance economic benefits for its coastal communities.