ISLAMABAD — In a major milestone for the country’s maritime sector, Pakistan’s seafood exports reached an unprecedented $568 million during the fiscal year 2025–26 (FY26). The historic high underscores the rapid expansion of the country’s blue economy and its strict compliance with international food safety and quality standards.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, confirmed the development, noting that the historic figure was achieved despite regional trade disruptions and complex maritime logistics in the Gulf region. The performance marks a massive 38% growth in seafood shipments over the last two years.

Key Export Drivers & Premium Commodities

Data from the Marine Fisheries Department highlighted a diverse and expanding range of premium frozen seafood leading the export growth:

• Frozen Fish: Remained the dominant export commodity, generating $105.09 million.
• Cephalopods: Frozen squid and cuttlefish followed closely, bringing in $103.71 million.
• Other High-Value Seafood: Significant contributions came from fish meal ($83.12 million), shrimps ($62.14 million), and crabs ($36.89 million), alongside healthy shipments of sardines, mackerels, and octopus.

Expanding the Global Footprint

Backed by an export-friendly ecosystem and upgraded regulatory frameworks, Pakistani seafood successfully reached premium international markets. The top destinations for the country’s marine shipments included China, Thailand, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Indonesia, and the United States.

Additionally, the sector gained new traction after 16 Pakistani seafood processing plants secured formal approval to export to Russia, creating a strategic gateway into the broader Eurasian Economic Union.

A Growing Hub for Blue Economy Investment

The government attributed this landmark achievement to coordinated reforms spearheaded by the Marine Fisheries Department to enforce stringent international quality assurance protocols.

“This milestone reflects our absolute commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s blue economy. By prioritizing value-addition, high quality-control standards, and market diversification, we are transforming our fisheries sector into a highly competitive, resilient global force,” the Maritime Ministry stated.

To capitalize on this momentum, the government has unveiled plans to establish a 100-acre modern seafood processing and export zone at the Korangi Fisheries Harbour, aiming to attract substantial local and foreign investment into the booming sector.