Azeem Ahmed Khan

Pakistan’s fisheries sector recorded solid export growth in the first half of the current fiscal year, with higher volumes and earnings reflecting stronger demand across key Asian and Middle Eastern markets, official data released by the Marine Fisheries Department under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs show.

The comparative figures for July to December show that fishery exports in 2025 outperformed the same period a year earlier, both in quantity and value. Total exports during July-December 2025 reached 122,629.11 metric tons, generating $253.24 million, compared with 102,942.05 metric tons worth $208.25 million in the corresponding period of 2024.

Overall, the fisheries sector recorded a year-on-year increase of 19.1 percent in export volume and 21.6 percent in export value, underscoring strong growth driven by rising demand from key markets such as China, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.

Monthly data indicate a steady upward trend through the second half of the year. In 2025, export volumes rose from 12,513.94 metric tons in July to a peak of 28,150.94 metric tons in November, before easing slightly to 27,392.85 metric tons in December.

Export earnings followed a similar pattern, climbing from $22.5 million in July to $56.42 million in November and remaining strong at $55 million in December.

By contrast, the July-December 2024 period showed lower overall volumes and earnings, with exports peaking in October at 23,920.4 metric tons valued at $50.67 million, before declining in the last two months of the year.

China clearly dominated as Pakistan’s largest seafood export destination during the period, importing 83,602.20 metric tons valued at $149.2 million. This overwhelming share underscores China’s central role in absorbing Pakistani fishery products and reflects strong, sustained demand from a large processing and consumer market.

Thailand emerged as the second-largest destination, with imports of 15,089.90 metric tons worth $31.3 million. The figures point to Thailand’s importance as a regional seafood processing hub, where Pakistani exports feed into broader value chains.

The United Arab Emirates ranked next, importing 3,038.22 metric tons valued at $12.68 million, highlighting steady demand from Gulf markets and Pakistan’s proximity advantage in supplying fresh and frozen seafood.

Malaysia followed closely, with imports totaling 3,566.83 metric tons and earnings of $11.17 million, reflecting consistent trade flows with Southeast Asia and Malaysia’s role as a key consumption market.

Together, these four destinations accounted for the bulk of Pakistan’s fisheries export volumes and earnings during July-December 2025, illustrating a strong concentration in Asian and Middle Eastern markets and providing the backbone for the sector’s overall export performance in the first half of the fiscal year.

After the top four destinations, Japan ranked next, importing 1,781.70 metric tons of Pakistani seafood valued at $8.3 million, reflecting steady demand from a high-value market known for strict quality requirements.

Saudi Arabia followed, with imports of 2,131.43 metric tons worth $6.51 million, highlighting continued demand from Gulf markets. Vietnam imported 1,957.73 metric tons valued at $5.5 million, underlining Pakistan’s growing trade links with Southeast Asian seafood processors and traders.

The European Union also featured among the leading destinations, importing 1,073.44 metric tons valued at $5.2 million, indicating a sustained presence in a market that places strong emphasis on compliance and certification.

Among smaller but notable buyers, Kuwait imported 1,040.46 metric tons worth $4.73 million, while the United States accounted for 610.37 metric tons valued at $2.75 million during the period.

Taken together, these markets demonstrate that beyond China and Thailand, Pakistan’s fisheries exports are reaching a broad range of buyers across East Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America, contributing to the overall resilience and geographic spread of the sector’s export performance.

In terms of top export commodities, frozen fish of various kinds remained the top export commodity, with shipments of 26,669.37 metric tons valued at $53.33 million during the period. Shrimps and prawns followed closely, generating $40.46 million from exports of 7,943.24 metric tons.

Frozen cuttlefish and shrimp meal also contributed significantly, with export values of $36.13 million and $25.44 million, respectively. Other notable products included crabs, fresh or chilled flat fishes, sardines, mackerel, frozen flat fishes and fish meal, reflecting a broad-based export portfolio.

Alongside export performance, the Marine Fisheries Department data also show an increase in non-tax revenue collection. Non-tax revenue rose to 127.7 million rupees in the first two quarters of fiscal year 2025-26, compared with 118 million rupees collected in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Officials say the combined growth in exports and non-tax revenue highlights the sector’s strengthening contribution to the maritime economy, as Pakistan continues to leverage demand in regional and international seafood markets.

Credit: INP-WealthPk