Pakistani seafood exports to China reached $220 million during the first seven months of 2026, marking a 41% year-on-year increase from $156 million in the same period of 2025. Data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) highlights strong Chinese demand for a wide variety of Pakistani marine species.
Key Export Products
- Miscellaneous Frozen Whole Fish: Top export item, generating $40.04 million across 19,834 metric tons.
- Frozen Cuttlefish & Squid: Contributed a combined $36.39 million to satisfy Chinese culinary and industrial processing demand.
- Frozen Sardines & Sprats: Brought in $19.49 million on 22,458 metric tons of shipments.
- Live & Chilled Mud Crabs: Generated $18.70 million.
- Other Notable Species: Frozen octopus ($9.16 million), frozen fish fillets/meat ($7.71 million), frozen shelled shrimp/prawns ($6.86 million), and frozen flatfish ($5.71 million).
Major Chinese Destinations
- Fujian Province: Led as the top destination, taking $32.58 million (21.14% share) to supply its seafood processing, canning, and re-export sectors.
- Guangdong Province: Imported $27.50 million (17.84% share), driven by consumer demand for live and fresh marine products in the Greater Bay Area.
- Shandong & Zhejiang: Received $22.88 million (14.85%) and $22.04 million (14.30%), respectively.
- Shanghai & Yunnan: Recorded stable inflows of $13.30 million and $11.21 million.
Key Growth Drivers
- Increased Registered Exporters: Approximately 200 seafood exporters and 10 fish-meal manufacturers are currently registered with Chinese customs, broadening direct trade access.
- China-Pakistan FTA Phase II: Expanded zero- and reduced-tariff access under the agreement continues to boost trade, with negotiations ongoing to add more marine species to the preferential list.
- Export Diversification: Seafood has become one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing non-textile, non-copper exports to China, reflecting improved alignment between Pakistani coastal fisheries and Chinese market standards.
