Seafood exports to EU states unlikely to resume next year

KARACHI: Pakistan’s full-fledged seafood exports to European Union (EU) countries are unlikely to resume next year, as the EU has not included Pakistan in its inspection plan for 2026, effectively extending the ban for at least another year, sources said on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s seafood exports to the EU have remained delisted since 2007. However, government officials said they are still hopeful that an EU inspection team may visit Pakistan next year, most likely in the first quarter, following several rounds of meetings held on the issue.

According to sources, the EU’s proposed inspection plan for 2026 does not list Pakistan for evaluating seafood facilities, particularly at Karachi Fish Harbour. As a result, hopes of enlisting more seafood processing companies have been dashed. Exporters, however, appeared largely unfazed by the development.

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“There are already four companies exporting seafood to EU countries, and most others are not prepared to seek enlistment because EU regulations are extremely strict and difficult to maintain,” said Saeed Farid, Senior Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Fisheries Export Association (PAKFEA).

He regretted the Sindh government’s poor handling of fish harbour maintenance and fisheries management, noting that the core issue lies in the lack of effective support from official partners to facilitate EU inspections.

Saeed Farid said fisheries landings have declined over time, which he linked to limited exports to the EU.

“New entrants are less interested,” he observed, while expressing satisfaction that China has emerged as Pakistan’s largest seafood importer, accounting for about 65 percent of total exports.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025