Pakistan's seafood exports hit all-time high of $568m in FY26

September 08, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan's seafood exports touched an all-time high of US$568 million in FY26, crossing the $500 million mark for the first time and surpassing the government's $500 million target.

The figure marks a jump of nearly 40% over two years, up from $406 million in FY24 and $489 million in FY25.

Khurram Schehzad highlighted the milestone on his X account, terming it a reflection of Pakistan's growing potential in seafood exports and the wider Blue Economy.

The export basket remained diversified across categories:

Pakistani seafood is now reaching markets across China, Southeast Asia, the Gulf, Japan, South Korea and the United States, with improved standards and new market access opening further avenues.

Access to the Russian seafood market has also widened, with 16 Pakistani processing plants securing approval.

It was note that the opportunity ahead remains considerably larger, contingent on greater value addition, modern processing, aquaculture development, cold-chain infrastructure, higher quality standards and further diversification of export markets.

The Blue Economy, has the potential to emerge as an increasingly important driver of exports, investment, jobs and foreign-exchange earnings for Pakistan.

Earlier in August, the government had constituted a four-member committee, headed by Fisheries Development Commissioner Dr Muhammad Hafeez-ur-Rehman, to finalize a performance-based fish export incentive scheme aimed at rewarding incremental export growth without altering the existing tax regime.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, while chairing the meeting on the matter, had said the mechanism was designed to improve the competitiveness of the seafood industry and attract fresh investment, directing the committee to engage exporters and processors and submit its recommendations, along with proposals for national awards for outstanding fish exporters, within a week.

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