Russia is showing growing interest in Pakistani seafood, creating a potential new market for the country’s fisheries industry. The development comes as Pakistan looks to increase seafood exports, improve processing capacity and reduce its reliance on a limited number of international buyers.
Russia Opens a New Market for Pakistani Seafood
Russia approved 16 Pakistani seafood processing plants for exports earlier this year, opening a potential market estimated at around $300 million for Pakistan’s fisheries sector. The approval could also provide opportunities to reach other markets in Central Asia and the wider Eurasian region.
Interest in Pakistani seafood was further highlighted at a seafood exhibition in St Petersburg, where Pakistani exporters reported encouraging interest from Russian buyers.
Pakistan’s Seafood Exports Are Growing
Pakistan’s fish and seafood exports have increased in recent years. Between 2019 and 2025, seafood export earnings rose from about $406 million to $489 million, while export volumes increased from around 177,884 tonnes to 243,050 tonnes.
In the first half of fiscal year 2025-26, Pakistan exported 122,629 tonnes of seafood worth $253.24 million, compared with $208.25 million during the same period a year earlier.
However, the country’s seafood exports remain concentrated in a few markets. China accounts for nearly 60% of Pakistan’s seafood exports, while Thailand is another major destination.
Processing and Cold Storage Remain Major Challenges
Despite its coastline of more than 1,000 kilometres, Pakistan’s fisheries sector contributes less than 1% to GDP. The industry also faces problems involving limited processing facilities, weak cold-chain infrastructure and inadequate value addition.
A significant portion of Pakistan’s seafood is exported in relatively low-value forms. This means foreign markets can process the products further and capture additional value that could otherwise remain within Pakistan.
The industry also faces concerns over sustainable fishing practices and the condition of marine fish stocks, making investment in modern and sustainable production increasingly important.
Aquaculture Could Help Increase Production
Aquaculture is another area that could support Pakistan’s seafood industry. Unlike traditional marine fishing, aquaculture allows fish and shrimp to be raised in controlled environments, potentially improving production and reducing pressure on wild fish stocks.
Pakistan has already started expanding shrimp farming and other aquaculture initiatives, while the government has also proposed greater investment in commercial aquaculture.
for more local news on our local.
Opportunity for Higher Seafood Export Earnings
The Russian market could give Pakistani seafood exporters another destination beyond traditional buyers such as China and Thailand. However, fully benefiting from the opportunity will depend on improving quality standards, processing facilities, cold storage, sustainable fishing practices and export infrastructure.
Pakistan’s government has also announced plans for a 100-acre seafood processing and export zone at Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority, with proposed investment of $60 million to $80 million. The project is expected to include processing units, cold storage, freezing facilities and export-grade packaging infrastructure.
for more news visit supernews.pk