Pakistan’s seafood exports to China reached $153 million in the first quarter of 2025, up from $121.93 million in the same period of 2024, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
China Economic Net (CEN) reported that frozen fish led the growth with exports worth $40.10 million, compared to $30.19 million last year, for a total of 21.83 million kilograms in volume in 2025. Exports of fresh or chilled crabs reached $25.68 million, for a total of 3.53 million kilograms, against 22.65 million dollars in the same period of 2024.
Read: Government targets $600 million in seafood exports
Similarly, frozen cuttlefish exports increased to $20.29 million, equivalent to 8.04 million kilograms, compared to $19.83 million last year. In particular, frozen sardines, sardines, erdas or sprats registered notable growth, reaching 11.24 million dollars, totaling 18.39 million kilograms, compared to just over 3 million dollars the previous year.
The steady growth reflects deepening agricultural and fisheries cooperation between the two countries under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as well as Pakistan’s growing access to the Chinese market through improved cold chain logistics and certification systems, CEN said.
CEN reported that Pakistan has already surpassed Russia and Indonesia in the seafood category, which exported seafood worth $8.39 million and $1.33 million, respectively. “Green channel” clearance for frozen seafood has been crucial to maintaining product quality and value, CEN said.
Read more: Is there a need to improve economic ties between Pakistan and China?
The relationship between Pakistan and China covers security, defence, economic and diplomatic aspects, and is based on strategic, geopolitical and shared values. So far, Pakistan and China have agreed on the Barter Trade Agreement of 1963, the Machinery and Technical Support Agreement of 1966, the Trade Protocol of 1975, the China-Pakistan Border Trade Agreement of 1985 and the Saindak Mining Project Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement of 1984.
In 1989, they signed an agreement to protect bilateral investments. This paved the way for Chinese companies like Huawei, Zong and Haier to enter Pakistan. The next big development was the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a transformative economic initiative.
