Pakistan’s seafood industry has shown steady growth in the first five months of the 2025–26 fiscal year, with exports reaching $173.7 million, marking an increase of over 7% compared to the same period last year. The data reflects rising international demand for Pakistani fish and seafood products.
Between July and November 2025, Pakistan exported around 75,766 metric tons of fish and fish products. The growth is attributed to improved processing standards, quality control measures, and efforts by exporters to meet international compliance requirements. In addition to seafood, Pakistan’s meat and meat products exports also rose by more than 7%, showing steady performance in the broader food sector.
Fresh fruit exports continued to perform well, earning nearly $150 million, highlighting the country’s potential in horticultural trade. However, not all segments showed positive results. Rice exports declined sharply during the same period, causing concerns among industry experts about maintaining competitiveness in traditional markets.
The growth in exports comes amid rising food imports, which increased significantly, reflecting ongoing trade imbalances in the food sector. Analysts suggest that while Pakistan is improving its export volumes in seafood, meat, and fruits, challenges remain in other areas, including rice, wheat, and processed foods.
Government officials and industry stakeholders are emphasizing the need for strategic investment in processing infrastructure, cold storage facilities, and international marketing to boost export earnings further.
Overall, the performance of the seafood sector demonstrates Pakistan’s capacity to expand its presence in global markets, provided consistent quality, timely delivery, and market diversification strategies are implemented. This trend offers hope for strengthening the country’s food export sector while reducing reliance on imports.
