Pakistan’s seafood exports to China reached a record $255 million in 2025, reflecting a strong surge in demand for frozen, processed, and value-added seafood products. Frozen fish continued to dominate the export portfolio, accounting for $64.6 million in sales, with Southern Guangdong, Shandong, and Beijing emerging as the primary import hubs. The expansion of exports into inland provinces such as Sichuan and Yunnan was facilitated by significant improvements in cold-chain infrastructure, enabling the safe and efficient transport of perishable seafood over long distances.
Cephalopods, including cuttlefish, squid, and octopus, showed remarkable growth in both volume and value, driven by their increasing use in restaurants, catering services, and household cooking. Lower-priced pelagic species, such as mackerel and sardines, also gained traction due to rising consumer preference for affordable protein sources and their use in both domestic kitchens and the food processing industry.
Processed seafood products and ready-to-cook options further contributed to the export growth, reflecting a shift in Chinese consumer behavior toward convenience foods and online grocery shopping. E-commerce platforms played a significant role in widening market access, allowing Pakistani seafood producers to tap into urban and semi-urban markets that were previously difficult to reach. Overall, the combination of diverse product offerings, improved logistics, and evolving consumer trends in China helped Pakistan solidify its position as a key seafood supplier in the region.
