Pakistan Targets Seafood Export Growth through Sustainable Shrimp Farming
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has called for developing a sustainable, export-oriented shrimp farming industry to strengthen Pakistan’s seafood exports, attract investment and increase foreign exchange earnings through a comprehensive aquaculture value chain.
Chairing the first meeting of the Prime Minister’s Subcommittee on Aquaculture and Shrimp Value Chain, the minister stressed the need for coordinated action to increase production, improve product quality and enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness in international seafood markets. The initiative aims to establish an integrated system covering shrimp farming, processing, quality testing and access to global markets.
Pakistan’s seafood exports reached a record $568 million in the financial year 2025–26, including $62 million from shrimp, Chaudhry said. Seafood exports also reached $125.4 million during the first quarter of the current financial year, highlighting the sector’s potential to generate additional export revenue.
The minister noted that a substantial proportion of Pakistan’s seafood exports still comes from wild-caught marine resources. Expanding organised and sustainable shrimp aquaculture could diversify seafood production and create a more structured supply chain capable of supporting long-term export growth.
To strengthen the industry, Chaudhry emphasised the availability of quality shrimp seed, modern hatcheries, standardised feed and effective disease-control systems. He also called for encouraging domestic production of shrimp seed and feed to reduce dependence on imports, while suggesting that appropriate concessions on duties and taxes be considered to attract investment.
Reliable and affordable energy was another priority. The minister stressed the need for competitive electricity tariffs and greater adoption of solar and hybrid energy systems to ensure uninterrupted power supplies for shrimp farms.
Expanding Pakistan’s access to major seafood markets, including the United States, China and the European Union, will require compliance with international standards for food safety, biosecurity, cold-chain management, processing and product traceability. Meeting these requirements will be essential to improving product quality and strengthening confidence among international buyers.
Chaudhry said Pakistan had considerable potential to expand sustainable aquaculture and shrimp farming by making effective use of its coastal areas, suitable land and water resources. He underscored the importance of collecting reliable, uniform data on resource availability, production capacity and existing farming practices to guide investment and sector-wide planning.
The minister also called for stronger implementation mechanisms, closer coordination among relevant departments and the adoption of modern farming practices to improve productivity and quality. He emphasised that the subcommittee must move beyond recommendations and establish practical measures to deliver measurable results.
“The purpose of the meeting is not merely to put forward proposals but to take concrete decisions and set clear targets and workable timelines,” Junaid Chaudhry said.
The emphasis on an integrated shrimp value chain reflects the importance of connecting farm production with processing, quality assurance, energy supply and international market access. For Pakistan, improving these links could help reduce production constraints, encourage private-sector investment and strengthen the reliability of seafood supplies for export markets. However, sustained progress will depend on effective implementation, consistent quality standards and coordinated support across the sector.
The government’s objective is to position Pakistan as a sustainable shrimp farming hub, capable of increasing seafood exports, attracting investment and generating foreign exchange while making better use of the country’s coastal and aquatic resources.
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