In a bold leap into the billion-dollar global shrimp farming industry, Pakistan has marked a major milestone with its first-ever shipment of 21,600 kilograms of farm-raised shrimp from Muzaffargarh to Vietnam.
This marks the first-ever shipment of aquaculture shrimp from Pakistan, laying the foundation for the country’s entry into the competitive global seafood market.
This shipment represents a significant milestone for Pakistan’s aquaculture sector as the country is making efforts to diversify its seafood exports and strengthen its position in the international marketplace. With this success, Pakistan is now setting its sights on further expansion, including exporting shrimp to the United States, the European Union, and other key markets worldwide.
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), in collaboration with various stakeholders such as the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Green Pakistan Initiative, and Green Corporate Livestock Initiative (GCLI), played a pivotal role in this achievement. These partnerships are crucial to the growth of the shrimp farming sector, with plans already in place for additional shipments to markets such as Jordan and the United States.
Pakistan’s push into the aquaculture sector follows the recent amendment to the Pakistan Fish Inspection and Quality Control Act of 1997, which now allows the export of shrimp produced through aquaculture practices. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs, along with the Fisheries Development Board (FDB), has also finalized the National Residue Control Plan (NRCP), which sets the standards for shrimp exports. These developments position Pakistan to tap into new export opportunities, especially in Europe and the United States.
Zubair Motiwala, CEO of TDAP, expressed optimism about the future of shrimp farming in Pakistan. With the regulatory framework now in place and continuous support for farmers, Pakistan is poised to increase its share in the global seafood market, he said, according to a statement. The successful first shipment, along with ongoing awareness campaigns and government-private sector collaborations, will help establish Pakistan as a reliable exporter of high-quality aquaculture shrimp, Motiwala added.
Pakistan launches ‘biggest’ pilot project for shrimp farming
Pakistan recently unveiled its largest-ever pilot project for shrimp farming, with the Punjab Government committing to scale the initiative from 100 acres to an impressive 100,000 acres. This ambitious project aims to tap into the $40 billion global shrimp market, with a targeted export goal of $1 billion annually.
The project, located in Jhalarin North, Muzaffargarh, marks a transformative shift in Pakistan’s aquaculture sector, utilizing saline, unproductive lands for high-value shrimp farming. With over 6,800 private fish farms already operational in the province, the initiative capitalizes on the growing demand for seafood while creating economic opportunities and maximizing the region’s underexploited land.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who launched the project in September 2024, expressed optimism, highlighting the potential for the country to earn $1 billion annually through shrimp exports. She emphasized that nations like Ecuador, China, and India have already leveraged similar advancements in aquaculture to boost their economies, and Pakistan aims to follow suit with this flagship program.
Shrimp farming export potential in Pakistan
Pakistan’s coastal regions, particularly the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, offer vast untapped potential for shrimp farming. The country’s 1,300-kilometer coastline provides access to millions of acres of non-productive saline land, ideal for large-scale commercial shrimp farming.
According to industry experts, the global shrimp farming market is expected to grow significantly, with an anticipated rise from $40.35 billion in 2023 to $74.24 billion by 2032. This offers a promising opportunity for Pakistan to capture a larger share of the international market.
Currently, Pakistan’s shrimp exports stand at approximately $78 million annually, a fraction of India’s $5 billion market share. However, with the growing demand for shrimp in global markets and the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable aquaculture practices, Pakistan’s shrimp industry is expected to increase its export potential in the coming years.
Ongoing efforts to boost local Shrimp Farming
This achievement comes amid a decline in Pakistan’s overall seafood exports, which dropped to US$410 million in 2023, down 17.4% from the previous year. Despite this, exports to China increased by 13%, reaching US$247.3 million, driven by products like frozen fish, crab, and cuttlefish. However, shrimp exports to the U.S. and EU remain blocked, with Pakistan actively working to get the ban lifted.
TDAP, in collaboration with various government agencies, is conducting a series of seminars aimed at training local shrimp farmers. These seminars, held at aquaculture clusters across the country, focus on implementing Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP), enhancing product quality, and preparing farmers for export opportunities. This initiative is essential to ensure that Pakistan’s shrimp meets international standards and can successfully compete in global markets.
Despite facing challenges in its seafood export industry, including a decline in overall exports in 2023, Pakistan’s shrimp farming sector represents a promising area for growth. As the global demand for farmed shrimp continues to rise, Pakistan’s role as a competitive player in the international shrimp market is expected to strengthen, opening doors for further economic development and export diversification.