Pakistan’s Fish, Seafood Exports Jump 74% To $125m In Q1FY27
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✧ GENERATE BRIEFING
Pakistan’s marine fisheries sector has recorded extraordinary export growth, with fish and seafood export earnings surging 74.4% to reach $125.4 million during the first quarter (July–September) of fiscal year 2026–27, compared to $71.9 million in the corresponding period of FY2025 (and up from $93.28 million in 1QFY26). Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced that physical export volumes expanded at a parallel pace, jumping 74.8% to 61,679 metric tonnes (MT) from 35,294 MT previously. This robust performance highlights the expanding economic footprint of Pakistan's coastal economy and underscores fisheries as an increasingly vital engine for national foreign exchange accumulation.Minister Chaudhry attributed part of this commercial momentum to the opening of lucrative new international destinations, notably Russia, while noting that the Marine Fisheries Department previously pulled in $568 million during the full 2025–26 fiscal year.
Pakistan’s fish and seafood exports rose 74.4% in value to $125.4 million during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, up from $71.9 million in the corresponding period of FY2024-25, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said.
The minister said export volumes also increased significantly, rising 74.8% to 61,679 metric tonnes (MT) in Q1FY27 from 35,294 MT in the same period of FY2024-25. In Q1FY26, exports stood at 43,995 MT, with earnings of $93.28 million.
The increase in both earnings and volumes highlights the growing contribution of Pakistan’s marine fisheries sector to the country’s foreign exchange earnings and coastal economy. The sector provides livelihoods to fishing communities while supplying fish and other marine products to international markets.
Market Expansion and International Reach
Chaudhry highlighted the performance of the Marine Fisheries Department, which recorded $568 million in fisheries export earnings during FY2025-26. He also pointed to the opening of new international markets, particularly Russia, as an important development for Pakistani seafood exporters.
Pakistan is also working to resume shrimp exports to the United States and revive the fishing licensing regime in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The government believes these measures can support greater and more sustainable utilisation of Pakistan’s marine resources.
Institutional Reforms and Quality Standards
Despite the strong export growth, the minister said institutional, technical and capacity-related bottlenecks need to be addressed to further expand access to lucrative markets, particularly the European Union.
He called for the revival of the Fisheries Training Centre of the Marine Fisheries Department to improve the skills of fishermen, skippers and fisheries professionals and strengthen compliance with international food-safety and fisheries standards.
Improving quality, safety and traceability across the seafood supply chain will be critical for Pakistan to compete in higher-value international markets. The government aims to modernise the fisheries sector, expand market access and increase its contribution to the national economy.
