Pakistan Eyes Shrimp Farming Hub To Boost Seafood Exports
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✧ GENERATE BRIEFING
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has emphasized the strategic necessity of developing a sustainable, commercial shrimp-farming sector to supercharge Pakistan’s seafood exports and enhance foreign exchange inflows. Chairing the inaugural session of the Prime Minister’s Subcommittee on Aquaculture and Shrimp Value Chain, the minister underscored that while Pakistan's total seafood exports scaled a record $568 million in FY2025–26 (including $62 million specifically from shrimp) and hit $125.4 million in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, the industry remains heavily dependent on wild-caught marine resources.To transition toward high-value aquaculture, the proposed value chain framework targets comprehensive upgrades spanning farming, processing, quality assurance, and international market access. Key policy priorities highlighted during the meeting include:Inputs & Hatcheries: Improving the availability and standardisation of quality shrimp seed, commercial hatcheries, disease-control systems, and locally produced shrimp feed with potential duty and tax concessions proposed to attract private investment.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has called for developing a sustainable shrimp-farming industry in Pakistan to increase seafood exports and generate additional foreign exchange.
Chairing the first meeting of the Prime Minister’s Subcommittee on Aquaculture and Shrimp Value Chain, the minister stressed the need for coordinated efforts to improve production, product quality and Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets.
Pakistan’s seafood exports reached a record $568 million in FY2025-26, including $62 million from shrimp, according to the minister. Seafood exports also amounted to $125.4 million in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.
The minister noted that Pakistan’s seafood exports still rely substantially on wild-caught marine resources, highlighting the need to establish organised shrimp farming as a sustainable source of production. The proposed value chain would cover farming, processing, quality testing and access to overseas markets.
Enhancing Inputs, Feed and Energy Security
He called for improving the availability of quality shrimp seed, hatcheries, standardised feed and disease-control systems. The government is also considering measures to encourage domestic production of shrimp feed and seed, including possible concessions on duties and taxes to attract investment.
Affordable and reliable electricity was another priority. The minister encouraged competitive power tariffs and the use of solar and hybrid energy systems to reduce operating costs and ensure uninterrupted electricity for shrimp farms.
Global Compliance and Export Expansion
To expand exports to the United States, China and the European Union, Pakistan would need to meet international requirements for food safety, biosecurity, cold-chain management, processing and product traceability. Reliable data on available resources, farming capacity and existing practices would also be needed for effective planning.
The minister said the subcommittee should move beyond recommendations and establish clear targets, practical implementation measures and timelines. The broader objective is to develop Pakistan into a sustainable shrimp-farming hub capable of increasing exports and strengthening foreign exchange earnings.
