Lahore: Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) has called for greater efforts to expand Pakistan’s seafood exports to China, terming the growing demand for Pakistani mud crabs and other seafood products a significant opportunity for export diversification, foreign exchange generation and development of the country’s blue economy.
PCJCCI President Nazir Hussain said here Tuesday that Pakistan possesses considerable potential in fisheries and seafood exports, particularly in high-value products such as mud crabs, shrimp, lobster, and fresh and frozen fish. He emphasized that Pakistan should capitalize on its extensive coastline and marine resources by investing in modern processing, cold-chain infrastructure, quality control and international certification.
He said China’s large and rapidly developing seafood market provides Pakistani exporters with an important opportunity to increase their market share and establish long-term commercial partnerships.
Pakistan’s seafood exports to China reached approximately USD 255 million in full-year 2025, marking a 24 percent increase compared with year 2024, highlighting the expanding potential of the Chinese market.
PCJCCI Vice President Amir Ali highlighted the strong growth in Pakistan-China seafood trade, stating that improved supply chains and compliance with international food-safety standards can further strengthen Pakistan’s position in the Chinese market.
He added that Pakistan’s total seafood export earnings during the 2025-26 financial year reached between USD 482. 08 million, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS)-verified data, and USD 568 million based on provisional figures from the Ministry. China remained the primary destination for Pakistani seafood exports. Chilled and fresh crab exports to China also continued an upward trajectory, exceeding USD 31. 9 million during the first eleven months of 2025.
Adeel Munawar, Commercial Ambassador PCJCCI, said that mud crabs have emerged as a promising export product and could play an important role in diversifying Pakistan’s seafood exports. He stressed the importance of strengthening business-to-business linkages with Chinese importers, distributors, retailers and food-service companies to create sustainable market access for Pakistani exporters.
Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI, said that the expansion of seafood exports could generate employment and improve livelihoods for coastal communities in Sindh and Balochistan. He called for stronger coordination among government agencies, exporters, fisheries authorities and logistics providers to develop an integrated seafood export ecosystem.
PCJCCI called for targeted policy support, investment in modern seafood infrastructure and stronger Pakistan-China business linkages to unlock the sector’s full export potential and position Pakistan as a competitive supplier in China’s growing seafood market.
