Pakistan’s seafood exports to China rose sharply to US$220 million during the first seven months of the current year, registering a 41% year-on-year increase from the corresponding period last year, according to the General Administration of Customs of China.
The growth reflected strong Chinese demand for a diverse range of marine products, particularly frozen fish, cephalopods and live crustaceans. Miscellaneous frozen whole fish led individual categories, generating US$40.04 million from 19,834 tonnes. Frozen cuttlefish and squid varieties together contributed US$36.39 million.
Frozen sardines and sprats generated US$19.49 million from 22,458 tonnes, while live and chilled mud crabs brought in US$18.70 million. Other significant exports included frozen octopus worth US$9.16 million, fish fillets and meat at US$7.71 million, frozen shelled shrimp and prawns at US$6.86 million, and flatfish at US$5.71 million.
“Seafood has become one of the faster-growing non-textiles, non-copper categories in bilateral trade, complementing traditional exports such as cotton yarn and agricultural products,” Muhammad Imran, Trade and Investment Counsellor at the Pakistan Consulate in Guangzhou, told China Economic Net.
China’s coastal provinces remained key destinations for Pakistani seafood. Fujian absorbed US$32.58 million, followed by Guangdong with US$27.50 million. Shandong and Zhejiang imported US$22.88 million and US$22.04 million respectively, while Shanghai and Yunnan recorded US$13.30 million and US$11.21 million.
Around 200 Pakistani seafood exporters and 10 fish-meal producers are now registered with Chinese customs, expanding direct market access. The second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement has also provided zero- or reduced-tariff access for more seafood species, with further additions under discussion.
The expanding trade highlights growing integration between Pakistan’s fisheries sector and China’s large seafood processing and consumer markets.
