Pakistan’s seafood exports to the Chinese market showed significant growth in the first six months of 2025, with several categories experiencing a sharp increase in demand, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC).

A major contributor to this trend was frozen fish (HS Code 03038990), with exports from H1 2025 valued at $27.51 million, a 26% increase from the $21.88 million recorded during the same period last year.

Pakistan shipped 15.47 million kilograms of this product, at an average price of $1.77 per kilogram. Other seafood categories also performed strongly during this period, sources from Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce told Gwadar Pro.

Frozen cuttlefish exports reached $14.31 million from 5.76 million kilograms shipped. Chilled crab exports grew by 12% to $12.85 million. Frozen octopus exports saw a remarkable 63% rise, reaching $9.018 million compared to $5.53 million in the previous year.

Notably, Frozen sardines, sardinella, and brisling category experienced a 340% surge in value, with exports totaling $7.49 million, up from $1.70 million last year. The export volume was 12.39 million kilograms, making Pakistan the top supplier of this category to China.

These figures highlight the increasing trade ties in the marine sector between the two nations. In recent discussions aimed at furthering this cooperation, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, met with Saeed Ahmed Fareed, Chairman of the Pakistan Fisheries Association.

They explored strategies to increase seafood exports and upgrade Pakistan’s fisheries sector through partnerships with Chinese companies. The Ambassador also met with a Chinese seafood company to enhance bilateral cooperation.

"We will utilize these discussions to explore mutually beneficial joint ventures in the important sector of fisheries," the Ambassador stated in a tweet.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China