Pakistan's fish exports ride a wave of growth in 1QFY27

October 06, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan's fish and seafood exports rose 74.4% in value to $125.4mn in the first quarter of FY27, up from $71.9mn in the same quarter of FY25, while export volumes climbed 74.8% over the same three-year period to 61,679 metric tonnes (MT).

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry shared the figures, according to the press release issued.

He said the increase showcases the growing economic potential of the marine fisheries sector as Pakistan seeks to expand its blue economy.

The minister said fish exports stood at $93.28mn in the first quarter of FY26 before rising to $125.4mn in the current fiscal year.

In volume terms, exports increased from 35,294MT in Q1 FY25 to 43,995MT in Q1 FY26, and then to 61,679MT in Q1 FY27. He noted that the rise in export earnings has broadly kept pace with the growth in volume.

He described the fisheries sector as an important part of the coastal economy, providing livelihoods to fishing communities while earning foreign exchange through exports of fish and other marine products.

He appreciated the Marine Fisheries Department for its record export earnings of $568mn in FY26, and said the opening of new international markets, particularly Russia, was another significant achievement.

He said recent moves to resume shrimp exports to the United States, along with the revival of the fishing licensing regime in Pakistan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), would help promote sustainable use of the country's marine fisheries resources.

The minister stressed the need to address institutional, technical and capacity-related bottlenecks to increase exports to lucrative international seafood markets, particularly the European Union.

He also called for the revival and restoration of the Fisheries Training Centre (FTC) of the Marine Fisheries Department to build human-resource capacity, raise technical and professional standards, and improve compliance with international fisheries and seafood safety requirements.

Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said strengthening the skills of fishermen, skippers, fisheries professionals and other stakeholders across the supply chain would improve the quality, safety and traceability of Pakistani seafood and make it more competitive abroad.

He reiterated his commitment to modernizing the sector, promoting sustainable use of marine resources, expanding market access and increasing the sector's contribution to the national economy.

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