Pakistan's coastline along Sindh and Balochistan supports a seafood industry exporting fish, shrimp, crabs, squid, and other products — with Karachi as its hub. China has become a major market, alongside the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Seafood is highly regulated, and access to premium markets depends on meeting strict hygiene and traceability standards.
The Competent Authority
Seafood exports from Pakistan are overseen by the competent authority for fish and fishery products, which inspects establishments and issues health certificates. Importing countries rely on this authority's assurances, so establishments must meet its standards and those of the destination.
Access to the EU
The EU only accepts fishery products from establishments that are approved and listed for export to the EU, in countries whose control systems the EU recognises. Pakistani seafood exports to the EU were suspended for a period in the past and later resumed for approved establishments. Today, an establishment must be on the EU's approved list before it can ship to the EU. If you are not listed, you cannot export to the EU — regardless of product quality.
The EU also requires catch certificates under its rules against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, validated by the flag state authority, to show that wild-caught fish were caught legally.
Other Markets
- China: a major buyer of Pakistani seafood. Establishments exporting to China must be registered with China's customs authority, GACC. See exporting to China.
- Gulf and Middle East: significant markets, with halal and health certificate requirements
- Southeast Asia: often as raw material for processing
- US: requires compliance with FDA seafood HACCP rules, and US rules on marine mammal protection affect which fisheries can export — check current status for your product
Food Safety Systems
- HACCP is the foundation for seafood safety in most markets
- Buyers may require BRCGS, IFS, or other GFSI-recognised certifications
- Testing for microbiological contamination, antibiotics (for aquaculture), heavy metals, and histamine for certain species
💡 Start with the approval, not the buyer
Before investing in marketing to a new seafood market, confirm your establishment's eligibility — EU listing, GACC registration, or other approvals. Buyers cannot purchase from you until you are eligible, however good your price.
Cold Chain
Seafood quality depends on temperature control from catch to consumer:
- Chilling on board and at landing
- Hygienic handling at landing sites and processing plants
- Rapid freezing and frozen storage at correct temperatures
- Reefer containers maintained at the required temperature — see shipping container types
Weaknesses at landing and handling stages are among the biggest quality challenges for the sector. Investment in on-board chilling and hygienic landing facilities improves both quality and access to premium markets.
Traceability
Buyers and regulators increasingly require traceability from vessel or farm to finished product — species, catch area, landing date, processing batch. Good traceability supports catch certificates and helps with complaints and recalls.
Value Addition
Much seafood is exported frozen whole or in basic forms. Value-added processing — fillets, peeled and deveined shrimp, portioned products, ready-to-cook items — earns higher prices and serves retail and food service buyers.
Finding Buyers
- Seafood trade fairs, such as major international seafood expos
- Importers and processors in China, the Gulf, and Europe
- Food service distributors
- Trade facilitation partners with food sector networks
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pakistani seafood be exported to the EU?
Yes, but only from establishments approved and listed for export to the EU, with health certificates from the competent authority and catch certificates for wild-caught fish.
What is an IUU catch certificate?
It is a certificate required by the EU for wild-caught fishery products, validated by the flag state authority, showing the fish were caught legally and not through illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing.
Do seafood exporters to China need registration?
Yes. Establishments exporting seafood to China must be registered with China's customs authority, GACC.
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