Pakistan Fish Exports Jump 75%

Pakistan's fish and seafood exports surged 75% in the first quarter of FY2026-27, reaching $125.4 million, according to Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry. The surge in exports follows a substantial rise in sea product volumes, increasing from 35,294 metric tons in the same period last year to 61,679 metric tons in the first quarter of FY2026-27.

This marked a 74.8% rise in export volume over three years, paralleled by a proportional growth in export earnings. Chaudhry highlighted the significant role of Pakistan's marine fisheries sector in bolstering the country's blue economy, emphasizing its contribution to livelihoods for fishing communities and foreign exchange earnings.

The minister also noted the department's record export earnings of $568 million in FY2025-26 and the expansion of international markets for Pakistani fisheries products, particularly with Russia. He further highlighted recent initiatives to resume shrimp exports to the United States and revitalize the fishing licensing regime in Pakistan's Exclusive Economic Zone to promote sustainable use of marine fisheries resources.

Chaudhry stressed the importance of addressing institutional, technical, and capacity-related challenges to boost fish and seafood exports to major international markets, such as the European Union, and called for the revival of the Fisheries Training Centre to strengthen human-resource capacity and enhance compliance with international safety standards.