by Pakistan’s seafood sector saw export earnings grow to USD 465 million in fiscal year 2024‑25, reflecting robust growth amid persistent regulatory and operational challenges. Total export volume reached 216,350 metric tons, up from 199,738 tons in the previous year—an 8 percent rise in volume and 13.4 percent in value.
🌍 Major Export Destinations
- China remained the largest buyer, importing significant volumes.
- Thailand, UAE, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Indonesia were also key markets
- Pakistan’s Seafood Exports Rise to $465 Million
📈 Performance Drivers & Sector Outlook
Strengths driving growth:
- Dedicated efforts by seafood processors and fishermen helped overcome weak global demand and market access limitations .
- Favorable export strategies and government support played a role; however, the industry remained under target, failing to hit the aspirational $500 million mark.
Challenges and Constraints:
- US shrimp import ban and partial EU market access limitations continue to dampen performance.
- Shrimp landings have declined dramatically over 20 years, shifting export reliance to cuttlefish, squid, and octopus.
- Due to low material availability, many processing plants are operating at just 20–25% capacity .
Policy and structural initiatives underway:
- Government-backed reforms include cluster-based shrimp farming initiatives in Sindh and Balochistan, investment in hatchery infrastructure, bans on trash fish use in fishmeal, and efforts to add onboard freezing capabilities to reduce post-harvest losses.
💡 Why This Matters
- The sector has seen steady volume growth, but value isn’t scaling proportionally—highlighting a mismatch between volume and per‑unit pricing.
- Structural constraints like market access restrictions and raw material shortages are key bottlenecks.
- Reform initiatives show promise but require faster implementation and compliance with global standards.
✅ Conclusion
The USD 465 million export milestone for FY 2024‑25 reflects Pakistan’s growing export potential. Yet to fully leverage opportunities, the country must address policy barriers, strengthen aquaculture practices, and diversify into high‑value species markets. With the right infrastructure and regulatory reforms, Pakistan’s fisheries sector could surpass the long-sought $500 million hurdle—and possibly reach $1 billion in years to come.
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