Official Trade Data Contradicts Govt’s Record Seafood Export Claim

Official trade data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) shows Pakistan earned $482.078 million from seafood exports during FY2025-26, significantly lower than the $568 million figure previously announced by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

According to Business Recorder, the gap of nearly $86 million has raised questions within the fisheries industry over the use of preliminary estimates in official announcements, with exporters and former officials calling for better coordination between the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) and the PBS.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs had earlier described seafood exports as reaching a record $568 million, attributing the performance to reforms under the government’s Blue Economy agenda and stronger exports to markets including China, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the European Union and the United States.

However, final PBS trade data shows Pakistan exported 215,170 metric tons of fish and fish products worth $482.078 million during FY2025-26, compared with 216,482 metric tons valued at $465.4 million a year earlier.

While export earnings increased by around 3.6 percent, export volumes declined by about 1 percent, indicating modest growth rather than the sharp increase suggested by the ministry’s earlier announcement.

Monthly data also reflected weaker performance. In June 2026, seafood exports totaled 15,770 metric tons worth approximately $36.7 million, down from $51.9 million in May. Compared with June 2025, export volumes fell 11.25 percent, while export earnings declined 3.31 percent.

Former Marine Fisheries Department Director General Israr Pathan said the discrepancy stems from differences in how export data is compiled. According to him, the department’s figures are based on export certificates issued before shipments leave the country, whereas the PBS records completed trade transactions, making it the final authority on Pakistan’s export statistics.

Industry officials believe the ministry relied on preliminary certification data or projected shipments rather than finalized exports when announcing the record figure.

According to PBS data, seafood exports totaled roughly $445 million during the first 11 months of FY2025-26. To reach the ministry’s announced $568 million, June exports alone would have needed to exceed $122 million, far above any monthly seafood export performance previously recorded. Instead, the PBS reported exports of approximately $36.7 million during the month.

Exporters said presenting verified trade statistics is essential for maintaining credibility with international buyers, financial institutions and trading partners. They added that while the $482.078 million figure still reflects continued recovery in seafood exports, consistent reporting across government institutions is critical for informed policymaking and strengthening confidence in Pakistan’s trade data.