Pakistan seafood exports reach record $568M despite global shipping crisis

KARACHI: Pakistan’s seafood industry reached a historic milestone, generating a record $568 million in exports during the 2025-26 fiscal year. 

Frozen fish, squid, and cuttlefish led the way, making up a third of total earnings, alongside major shipments of shrimp, crabs, and fishmeal. 

International buyers from China and Malaysia to the US and UAE are snapping up these products, driving a rapid expansion of Pakistan’s global footprint.

Achieving this during a severe shipping crisis was no small feat. 

Pakistani processors overcame global trade bottlenecks by upgrading their technology and maintaining strict food safety standards. 

We spoke with Mukhi Noordin & Sons, one of the country's top exporters previously recognized by the prime minister, to learn how local companies are using advanced flash-freezing to shift from raw exporters to high-value players. 

Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Chaudhry praised the industry for the landmark success, calling it a major win for Pakistan's blue economy.