Rising demand for Pakistani mud crabs and other seafood in China is a major opportunity to diversify exports, boost foreign exchange earnings and develop the country’s blue economy.
Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Nazir Hussain said Pakistan has significant potential in fisheries and seafood exports, particularly high-value products including mud crabs, shrimp, lobster and fresh and frozen fish.
In a statement on Tuesday, he stressed the need to make better use of Pakistan’s extensive coastline and marine resources by investing in modern processing facilities, cold-chain infrastructure, quality control and internationally recognised certifications.
Pakistan’s seafood exports to China rose to around $255 million in 2025, registering a 24% increase over the previous year. The growth reflects the expanding opportunities available in the Chinese seafood market and the potential for Pakistani exporters to build long-term commercial partnerships.
PCJCCI Vice President Amir Ali said stronger supply chains and compliance with international food-safety standards could further improve Pakistan’s competitiveness in China.
Pakistan’s seafood exports during fiscal year 2025-26 stood at $482.08 million based on Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS)-verified data. Provisional figures from the Ministry put the total at $568 million.
China remained the leading destination for Pakistani seafood. Exports of chilled and fresh crabs to China also continued to grow, surpassing $31.9 million in the first 11 months of 2025.
PCJCCI Commercial Ambassador Adeel Munawar said mud crabs had emerged as a promising export product and could help diversify Pakistan’s seafood export portfolio. He called for stronger business-to-business ties with Chinese importers, distributors, retailers and food-service companies to secure sustainable market access.
Secretary General PCJCCI Salahuddin Hanif said expanding seafood exports could create jobs and improve livelihoods in coastal communities in Sindh and Balochistan.
He urged greater coordination among government agencies, exporters, fisheries authorities and logistics providers to establish an integrated seafood export ecosystem.
