Pakistan says seafood exports surged by 20.5% in FY25 to reach $489.2 million
Pakistan has the potential to become a major exporter of seafood as it possesses a coastline of more than 1,000 kilometers along the Arabian Sea and is also home to several species such as shrimp, tuna, mackerel and crab.
Pakistan's maritime affairs ministry released its annual report on seafood exports for the fiscal year 2024-25 on Monday, attributing the surge to the government's policies and regulations.
'Pakistan's seafood exports have increased by 20.5% reaching $489.2 million [in FY2024-25],' the ministry said in a statement. 'China and Thailand are the largest buyers of Pakistani seafood.'
The report added that fish meal, shrimp, crab, mackerel and jellyfish were among the key export items in the seafood category during the last fiscal year.
'Institutional reforms and sustainable measures are beginning to show positive results,' Maritime Affairs Ministry Junaid Anwar Chaudhry was quoted as saying in the report.
He said exploring new international markets and improving Pakistan's seafood export infrastructure are among the government's top priorities, adding that modern regulations, monitoring and certification systems boosted exports.
'We are strengthening ties with the private sector to promote exports,' Chaudhry said. 'Pakistan's seafood products are becoming increasingly attractive to international buyers.'
Pakistan's maritime affairs ministry said last week it was eyeing a $200 million boost for the tuna sector from global quota allocations and regulatory reforms. It shared that the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission has issued Islamabad a new tuna fishing quota of 25,000 metric tons, which comprises 15,000 tons of Yellowfin Tuna and 10,000 tons of Skipjack Tuna.
'With international prices for these tuna species ranging between $5 and $7 per kilogram, and potentially higher with value-added processing, the economic potential is enormous,' the ministry had said.
The development takes place amid the government's announcement that it is pursuing sustainable economic growth driven by exports and long-term fiscal reforms. Pakistan has been trying to escape a prolonged economic crisis that has drained its resources and triggered a balance of payments crisis for the country.
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