ISLAMABAD: The federal minister for Maritime Affairs of Pakistan, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry acknowledged that the marine fisheries sector posted robust development within the first half of fiscal yr 2025-26, with seafood exports rising to 122,629.11 metric tons valued at $253.24 million between July and December 2025.
Muhammad Junaid Anwar mentioned the efficiency displays the rising competitiveness of Pakistan’s marine fisheries in international markets, noting sustained export momentum all through the interval.
In contrast with the corresponding interval of FY2024-25, when exports stood at 102,942.05 metric tons value $208.25 million, the sector recorded a year-on-year enhance of 19.1 p.c in quantity and 21.6 p.c in worth.
Information exhibits that frozen fish remained Pakistan’s largest export class, accounting for 26,669.37 metric tons valued at $53.33 million.
Shrimps and prawns adopted with earnings of $40.46 million, whereas frozen cuttlefish generated $36.13 million. Different merchandise together with shrimp meal, crabs, sardines, mackerel, flatfish species, and fish meal additionally contributed to greater export receipts, underscoring diversification and development in value-added processing.
China continued to be Pakistan’s largest seafood market, importing almost 59% of complete exports by worth. Thailand ranked second, largely as a result of demand for shrimps and prawns, adopted by the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Japan.
The federal minister added that market diversification efforts have additionally expanded exports to the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Kuwait, and the USA.
Month-to-month export figures confirmed constant development, peaking at $56.42 million in November and $55 million in December, aided by seasonal demand and logistical enhancements. Non-tax income from the fisheries sectors additionally elevated to Rs127.7 million (roughly $460,000), up from Rs118 million a yr earlier.
Muhammad Junaid Anwar described fisheries as a significant pillar of the nationwide maritime financial system, supporting a whole lot of 1000’s of livelihoods in coastal communities alongside the Arabian Sea, significantly in Sindh and Balochistan.
Traditionally contributing round one p.c to GDP, the sector has rebounded from pandemic-era disruptions via expanded processing capability, improved cold-chain logistics, and stricter certification aligned with worldwide requirements.
Muhammad Junaid Anwar mentioned the federal government was working with worldwide companions, together with the Worldwide Maritime Group, to advertise sustainable fishing practices, whereas investing in port infrastructure at Karachi and Gwadar.
He additionally acknowledged ongoing challenges similar to climate-related impacts on migratory species, however famous that rising instruments like eDNA monitoring and broader blue financial system methods are gaining momentum as Pakistan aligns with IMO conventions and strengthens regional cooperation.
