Islamabad, July 20 — Pakistan’s seafood exports surged in the fiscal year 2024–25, reaching 216,350 metric tons in volume and earning $465.4 million.
According to official data, despite the milestone, the sector fell short of its long-anticipated financial goal of $500 million, closing the year at $465.4 million — an 11.44% increase over the previous fiscal year.
The impressive growth in export volume contrasts with modest gains in value, highlighting a persistent imbalance between quantity and financial returns. Analysts and industry experts say the data, released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics, underscores a structural issue in the sector — growing tonnage without corresponding unit price gains.
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Once dominated by shrimp, Pakistan’s seafood export profile has shifted over the past two decades toward cuttlefish, squid, and octopus due to a sharp decline in shrimp landings. Studies by the Marine Fisheries Department and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations have warned of depleting fish stocks in Pakistan’s waters, calling for urgent reforms in marine resource management.
Experts are urging the government to prioritize the expansion and upgrading of seafood processing facilities to meet global standards. Enhanced coordination with international stakeholders — including the European Commission, Saudi Arabia, and the United States — is also seen as crucial to secure plant inspections and export approvals.
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Since 2001, Pakistan’s seafood sector has seen cyclical shifts but a gradual upward trend in both volume and value. The average unit price dipped slightly in FY25 to $2.15 per kilogram, reflecting global price pressures, but the country remains a competitive player in the international seafood market.
While the record volume marks a significant milestone, experts agree that targeted reforms and value-chain improvements are essential to elevate Pakistan’s seafood exports beyond the half-billion-dollar threshold.
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