ISLAMABAD: Pakistan achieved a record $568 million in seafood exports during FY2025-26, crossing the $500 million mark for the first time and exceeding the government’s target, in a major boost to the country’s Blue Economy.
The latest figure represents an increase of nearly 40 per cent in two years, rising from $406 million in FY2023-24 to $489 million in FY2024-25 before reaching the record level in FY2025-26.
Advisor to the Finance Minister, Khurram Schehzad, highlighted the milestone on his X account, describing it as a reflection of Pakistan’s growing potential in seafood exports and the wider Blue Economy.
🇵🇰 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝗹-𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 — 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗨𝗦$𝟱𝟳𝟬 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻
Pakistan’s seafood exports reached a record US$568 million in FY26, crossing the US$500 million mark for the first time, exceeding the US$500 million… pic.twitter.com/MCD08ARm7g
— Khurram Schehzad (@kschehzad) September 7, 2026
Pakistan’s seafood export basket remained diversified, with frozen fish accounting for $105.1 million, followed by squid and cuttlefish at $103.7 million and fish meal at $83.1 million. Shrimp exports stood at $62.1 million, while crab exports amounted to $36.9 million.
Pakistani seafood is now reaching markets in China, Southeast Asia, the Gulf, Japan, South Korea and the United States, with improved standards and expanded market access creating further opportunities for exporters.
Access to the Russian seafood market has also widened, with 16 Pakistani seafood processing plants securing approval to export to the country.
Despite the record performance, the sector’s potential remains considerably greater, particularly through increased value addition, modern processing facilities, aquaculture development, cold-chain infrastructure, higher quality standards and further diversification of export markets.
The Blue Economy could emerge as an increasingly important driver of Pakistan’s exports, investment, employment and foreign-exchange earnings.
READ ALSO: Pakistan Seafood Exports Surpass Historic $500 Million Milestone
Earlier in August, the government constituted a four-member committee, headed by Fisheries Development Commissioner Dr Muhammad Hafeez-ur-Rehman, to finalise a performance-based fish export incentive scheme. The proposed scheme is aimed at rewarding incremental export growth without changing the existing tax regime.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, while chairing a meeting on the matter, said the mechanism was designed to improve the competitiveness of Pakistan’s seafood industry and attract fresh investment.
He directed the committee to engage exporters and processors and submit its recommendations, along with proposals for national awards for outstanding fish exporters, within a week.
The record export performance underscores the growing contribution of Pakistan’s fisheries sector to the national economy while highlighting the significant potential for further expansion through investment, modernisation and greater value addition.
