Pakistan’s seafood exports saw a healthy increase of 13.4% in the financial year 2024-25, reaching a total value of $465 million, according to data shared by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The export volume also grew, touching 216,350 tonnes this year.
The Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association (PFEA) praised the hard work and determination of local fishermen and seafood processors for this positive growth. They said that despite many challenges, the people working in the seafood sector have managed to keep the industry running and growing.
However, the seafood industry still has to deal with some serious problems. There is a shortage of raw material, which limits how much seafood can be processed and sold abroad. Many processing plants are not being used to their full capacity because of this shortage.
Another big challenge is that Pakistani seafood does not have full access to some important markets like the European Union and the United States. Because of trade restrictions, exporters miss out on bigger profits and opportunities.
To fix these issues, the PFEA has called for urgent steps to protect fish stocks through better conservation and sustainable fishing. They also want the government to work on diplomatic efforts to reopen closed markets and build stronger trade relationships with other countries.
With better planning and support, the seafood industry could earn much more for the country and provide more jobs to local communities. The PFEA says that with the right help, Pakistan’s seafood sector has the potential to grow even bigger in the coming years.
