Pakistan has set a seafood export target of $600 million for FY 2025–26, with fresh agreements and joint ventures with Chinese firms expected to drive growth in aquaculture and frozen food industries.
The fisheries sector earned $465 million in FY 2024–25, with China as the largest buyer. Federal Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, during talks in Beijing, said memorandums of understanding and business-to-business deals would be central to boosting exports and positioning Pakistan as a regional seafood hub.
Pakistan currently ranks as the third-largest global exporter of mud crabs, shipping over 3,000 tons annually to China. Exporters highlighted the role of Chinese collaboration in expanding market access. Tariq Memon of Arabian Sea Products said his company is developing systems to keep live mud crabs and lobsters fresh for up to three weeks, enabling exports to distant destinations.
Saeed Ahmed Fareed of Legend International proposed joint ventures in value-added frozen seafood and poultry products, noting that such collaboration could help reduce costs, scale up production, and reach markets in the US, Europe, and beyond.
Other exporters, including Ali Reimoo of Karim Impex, emphasised opportunities in regional markets, while Asif Muhammad Ali Shah of Perfect Food Industries called for investment in freeze-drying technology. Despite global demand for Pakistani fruits and vegetables like mango, falsa, and bitter melon, Pakistan lacks processing facilities due to high costs.
Minister Chaudhry noted that recent investments in cold chain infrastructure and freezing technologies have laid the groundwork for future seafood-specific freeze-drying plants, adding that market trends point to strong growth potential.
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