In a strategic push to diversify its export destinations and reduce reliance on China, Pakistan has submitted applications to Saudi Arabia’s food regulator for 24 domestic seafood exporters. The move aims to tap into high-value Middle Eastern markets and significantly boost regional trade revenues.
Currently, China absorbs roughly 60 percent of Pakistan’s seafood shipments. In contrast, annual exports to Saudi Arabia stand at approximately $15 million, with overall sales to the wider Middle East hovering around $100 million.
Navigating Saudi Regulations and Market Access
Saudi Arabia requires foreign seafood facilities to undergo strict approval processes by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) before initiating exports. According to Mansoor Ali Wassan, Director General of Pakistan’s Marine Fisheries Department, securing expanded access to the Saudi market is crucial for delivering fresh, premium seafood to neighboring markets.
“If more of our companies get enlisted in Saudi Arabia, then we can supply our fresh and premium seafood there,” said Wassan in an interview with Arab News.
Pending applications with the SFDA include key industry players such as:
- Blue & White Fisheries
- Arsula Seafoods
- Sindh Balochistan Coastal Company
- Maritime Seafood
- Ocean Gold Seafood
- Legend International Private Ltd
- Supreme Seafood Enterprises
While an SFDA registry from October 2025 previously listed 11 approved Pakistani establishments, the newly submitted dossiers aim to expand this network substantially, offsetting regional trade disruptions affecting shipments to Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait.
The Value-Addition Challenge: From Packers to Producers
A major bottleneck facing Pakistan’s seafood industry is the lack of processing capabilities. Out of 578 registered exporters nationwide, only three produce value-added items, such as ready-to-eat meals, while the vast majority rely on basic packaging. Exporters are currently advocating for tax incentives and reduced import duties on processing machinery to bridge this gap.
Wassan estimated that shifting from basic packaging to value-added production could propel Pakistan’s annual seafood exports to the Middle East from $100 million to $1 billion within five years.
Export Ambitions vs. Trade Data
For the fiscal year ending June 2026, the Maritime Ministry reported record seafood exports of $568 million, whereas final figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics placed total exports at $482 million. Despite these baseline discrepancies, expanding the roster of approved exporters in Saudi Arabia remains a vital component of Pakistan’s long-term trade strategy.
