What happened
Pakistan’s seafood exports rose to 122,629.11 metric tons valued at $253.24 million in the first half of fiscal year 2025-26, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Friday, citing data released by the Marine Fisheries Department.
The figures, reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan, cover July to December 2025. Compared with the same period of FY2024-25, when exports stood at 102,942.05 metric tons worth $208.25 million, the sector recorded a year-on-year increase of 19.1 percent in volume and 21.6 percent in value.
Frozen fish remained the leading category at 26,669.37 metric tons worth $53.33 million. Shrimps and prawns followed with $40.46 million, while frozen cuttlefish generated $36.13 million.
China retained its position as the largest destination, importing more than 83,602 metric tons worth $149.2 million, or nearly 59 percent of total seafood exports. Thailand ranked second at $31.3 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Japan. The minister said diversification efforts had also expanded shipments to the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Kuwait and the United States.
Monthly exports peaked at $56.42 million in November and $55 million in December. Non-tax revenue from the sector rose to Rs 127.7 million, up from Rs 118 million a year earlier.
Why it matters
Fisheries have historically contributed around one percent of Pakistan’s GDP and support hundreds of thousands of livelihoods in coastal communities in Sindh and Balochistan, the minister said. The rebound matters for foreign-exchange earnings at a time when the government is trying to lift exports.
Minister Chaudhry attributed the gains to initiatives under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, including collaboration with the International Maritime Organization on sustainable fishing practices and investment in port infrastructure at Karachi and Gwadar. He noted challenges including climate-related impacts on migratory species, while pointing to tools such as eDNA monitoring and broader blue-economy strategies.
What is still uncertain
The minister’s statement did not give a full-year export forecast, a breakdown of profit margins, or provincial-level figures. It also did not quantify how much of the increase came from higher prices versus higher volumes beyond the aggregate percentage changes.
Sources & reporting notes
This article summarises reporting published by the Associated Press of Pakistan on 16 January 2026, based on Marine Fisheries Department data cited by the federal maritime affairs minister. It is not eyewitness reporting.
- APP — Seafood exports surge 22% to $253 million in first half of FY26: Junaid Anwar Chaudhry16 January 2026 · Export volumes, values, product categories and destination markets.
