Pakistan’s seafood exports rose to $465 million in FY25, up 13.4 percent in value and 8 percent in quantity from the previous year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Total exports stood at 216,350 tons, compared to 199,738 tons worth $410 million in FY24.
The Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association (PFEA) credited the rise to efforts by fishermen and processors despite weak global demand and limited market access.
PFEA Vice-Chairman Saeed Fareed said exports are constrained by a US ban on shrimp and limited EU access. Processing plants are running at just 20–25 percent capacity due to raw material shortages.
Shrimp landings have sharply declined over two decades, shifting reliance to cuttlefish, squid, and octopus.
Fareed warned of falling fish stocks, citing Marine Fisheries Department and FAO reports. He urged the government to enforce conservation measures and seek re-entry into the US, EU, and Saudi markets.
Exporters remain short of the $500 million target due to structural and regulatory hurdles. In response, the government has proposed reforms including shrimp farming clusters, hatcheries, a ban on trash fish in fishmeal, and onboard freezing to reduce post-harvest losses.
