Rising tides of trade

“China and Pakistan are good friends, good partners, and good brothers.” — Chinese President Xi Jinping

In 2025, Pakistan’s seafood exports to China soared to an unprecedented $153 million, reflecting a 25 percent increase from the previous year’s $121.93 million. On the surface, these are just trade statistics but beneath them lies a far deeper story: a changing pattern in how Pakistan’s economy is connecting with China and how the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is entering a more mature and diversified stage.

For years, CPEC symbolized roads, power plants and massive port construction; the visible machinery of development. Now, the corridor’s focus is expanding into newer areas such as fisheries, agriculture, and logistics. This evolution signals a move from construction-led expansion to sustainable trade and industrial cooperation a transition that could be vital for Pakistan’s long-term economic resilience.

Pakistan’s seafood sector has long been described as a “sleeping giant.” With a coastline stretching more than 1,000 kilometers and teeming marine biodiversity, the country has always possessed the natural advantages of a seafood powerhouse. Yet, for decades, outdated infrastructure, poor cold storage facilities, and limited market access kept it from realizing that potential. Large volumes of fish spoiled before reaching international buyers, undermining Pakistan’s competitiveness despite its rich resources.

That old narrative, however, is finally changing. Under CPEC’s agricultural cooperation framework, targeted investments have upgraded Pakistan’s entire seafood supply chain. Cold storage units, processing facilities, customs systems, and port operations have all seen modernization turning the transformation into something both structural and strategic. One of the most impactful developments has been the creation of “green channels” for perishable goods at Chinese ports. These fast-track clearance routes have drastically reduced delays in seafood shipments. What once took up to five days to reach China’s major markets from Karachi now takes less than 48 hours. The result: fresher seafood, reduced spoilage, and greater access to premium markets where timing defines profit margins. In 2025 alone, Pakistan exported 21.8 million kilograms of frozen fish to China, a record that showcases how infrastructure improvements are translating into trade success. Behind these numbers lies a broader transformation in Pakistan’s export mix. The country has diversified its seafood offerings, moving beyond a few staples to include a wider variety— frozen fish, crabs, cuttlefish, sardines, and sprats— all of which have shown rising demand in China. Among them, frozen fish led the way with $40.10 million in exports, followed by fresh and chilled crabs ($25.68 million), frozen cuttlefish ($20.29 million), and sardines and sprats ($11.24 million).

This diversification marks a clear shift from low-value, bulk exports toward higher-value and branded categories, improving profit margins and enhancing Pakistan’s international reputation. It also mirrors the evolution of consumer preferences in China. As the Chinese middle class grows, so does its appetite for protein-rich and imported seafood. Pakistani exporters have adapted quickly to meet these changing tastes.

In several segments, Pakistan has even surpassed traditional suppliers like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Russia, countries that once dominated China’s seafood imports. This progress reflects more than just efficient logistics; it highlights the growing trust and cooperation between the two nations. Pakistan and China have deepened coordination on quality control, certification, and regulatory standards, ensuring that Pakistani products meet China’s stringent import requirements. This has enhanced both market credibility and consumer confidence in the safety and traceability of seafood imported from Pakistan.

The significance of this export surge goes beyond trade statistics. For decades, Pakistan’s economy has leaned heavily on textiles, leaving it exposed to global demand fluctuations and energy price volatility. The rise of seafood exports provides an important avenue for diversification a fresh source of foreign exchange and employment along the coastal regions of Gwadar, Pasni and Karachi. For small-scale fishermen, this change means more than income it represents renewed livelihoods and stability.

“China and Pakistan are iron brothers. Our friendship is higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans, sweeter than honey, and stronger than steel.” And now, fittingly, it is the ocean itself that continues to deepen this friendship — one shipment, one partnership, and one wave of opportunity at a time.

This transformation fits squarely within CPEC’s Phase II, which emphasizes industrial and agricultural modernization. Integrating fisheries into this framework allows Pakistan to leverage its strategic geography, abundant marine life, and advantageous position along Arabian Sea trade routes. On a geopolitical level, China’s engagement in fisheries marks deepening strategic trust. CPEC today is not only about roads and energy— it’s a platform for trade integration, technology sharing, and food security, embodying the “iron brotherhood” between the two nations. A crucial driver of this export growth has been the modernization of Pakistan’s cold chain infrastructure. Previously, the lack of temperature control and proper storage led to high rejection rates from foreign buyers.

Now, with refrigerated transport systems, modern processing plants, and logistics hubs in Karachi and Gwadar, exporters can maintain international hygiene and freshness standards. The “green channel” system at Chinese ports further reinforces this, allowing perishable products to bypass long inspections. As a result, seafood from Pakistan can reach supermarket shelves in Shanghai or Guangzhou within two days an efficiency that was unimaginable a few years ago. Chinese consumer trust has also increased as Pakistan aligns with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) regulations. New traceability systems now enable each product to be tracked “from sea to shelf,” responding to global concerns about food safety and sustainability. Still, challenges persist.

Pakistan’s marine ecosystems face pressure from overfishing, pollution, and weak regulatory enforcement. Without sustainable management, the recent progress could lose momentum. To secure long-term growth, Pakistan must invest in modern fisheries management, aquaculture development, and marine research. Initiatives like digital monitoring, fishermen training programs, and hatchery development can help ensure that growth aligns with environmental balance. The private sector must also step up — by investing in value-added processing, branding, and packaging to meet international standards such as HACCP and ISO, enabling expansion beyond China into Middle Eastern and European markets.

Pakistan’s strengthening seafood trade with China reflects a broader economic reorientation — one that goes beyond trade figures. With exports expected to approach $600 million by FY2026, the fisheries sector stands on the verge of becoming a major driver of growth. The momentum we see today stems from a blend of policy reform, private initiative, and regional cooperation under CPEC.

In the long run, Pakistan’s key challenge will be maintaining a balance between economic expansion and environmental conservation, protecting marine resources while maximizing their commercial value. As CPEC evolves, it continues to serve as both a catalyst and connector — linking Pakistan’s coastal potential with one of the world’s largest consumer markets. With modernized ports, improved logistics, and growing private investment, Pakistan’s maritime economy is finally emerging as a sustainable engine of national growth.

The success of 2025 offers a glimpse into what can happen when cooperation meets innovation — when trade, technology, and environmental responsibility work together to shape prosperity. If this balance is maintained, the seafood industry could soon become one of Pakistan’s most vital export pillars, reflecting not only economic diversification but also the depth of Pakistan-China cooperation in building a resilient regional economy.

“China and Pakistan are iron brothers. Our friendship is higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans, sweeter than honey, and stronger than steel.”

And now, fittingly, it is the ocean itself that continues to deepen this friendship — one shipment, one partnership, and one wave of opportunity at a time.