Pakistan\u2019s marine fisheries sector posted strong growth in the first half of fiscal year 2025\u201326, with seafood exports rising to 122,629.11 metric tons valued at $253.24 million between July and December 2025, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Friday.<\/p>\n
Commenting on data released by the Marine Fisheries Department, the minister said the performance reflects the growing competitiveness of Pakistan\u2019s marine fisheries in global markets, noting sustained export momentum throughout the period.<\/p>\n
Compared with the corresponding period of FY2024\u201325\u2014when exports stood at 102,942.05 metric tons worth $208.25 million\u2014the sector recorded a year-on-year increase of 19.1 percent in volume and 21.6 percent in value.<\/p>\n
Minister Chaudhry described fisheries as a vital pillar of the national maritime economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of livelihoods in coastal communities along the Arabian Sea, particularly in Sindh and Balochistan. Historically contributing around one percent to GDP, he said the sector has rebounded from pandemic-era disruptions through expanded processing capacity, improved cold-chain logistics, and stricter certification aligned with international standards.<\/p>\n
According to the data, frozen fish remained the leading export category, accounting for 26,669.37 metric tons valued at $53.33 million. Shrimps and prawns followed with earnings of $40.46 million, while frozen cuttlefish generated $36.13 million. Other products\u2014including shrimp meal, crabs, sardines, mackerel, flatfish species, and fish meal\u2014also contributed to higher export receipts, underscoring diversification and growth in value-added processing.<\/p>\n
China retained its position as Pakistan\u2019s largest export destination, importing more than 83,602 metric tons worth $149.2 million\u2014nearly 59 percent of total seafood exports\u2014driven by steady demand for high-quality frozen products. Thailand ranked second with imports valued at $31.3 million, mainly shrimps and prawns, supported by Pakistan\u2019s HACCP-certified processing standards.<\/p>\n
The United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Japan followed, with rising shipments of cuttlefish and fish meal. The minister added that market diversification efforts have also expanded exports to the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Kuwait, and the United States.<\/p>\n
Monthly export figures showed consistent growth, peaking at $56.42 million in November and $55 million in December, aided by seasonal demand and logistical improvements. Non-tax revenue from the fisheries sector also increased to Rs127.7 million, up from Rs118 million a year earlier.<\/p>\n
Minister Chaudhry attributed the gains to government initiatives under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, including collaboration with the International Maritime Organization on sustainable fishing practices and investments in port infrastructure at Karachi and Gwadar.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese developments signal the fisheries sector\u2019s rising contribution to foreign exchange earnings and economic stability,\u201d he said, while stressing the need for strict regulatory compliance and sustainable fishing to protect marine biodiversity.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged ongoing challenges such as climate-related impacts on migratory species, but noted that emerging tools like environmental DNA monitoring and broader blue economy strategies are gaining momentum as Pakistan aligns with international maritime conventions and strengthens regional cooperation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistan\u2019s marine fisheries sector posted strong growth in the first half of fiscal year 2025\u201326, with seafood exports rising to 122,629.11 metric tons valued at $253.24 million between July and December 2025, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Friday. Commenting on data released by the Marine Fisheries Department, the minister […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":68821,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[131,30],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[213],"class_list":{"0":"post-71062","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"category-latest"},"yoast_head":"\n