Pakistan’s Fishmeal Exports to China Jump 16 % in Early 2025

BEIJING – Pakistan’s exports of animal-based flours and meals to China grew by 16% year-on-year during the first five months of 2025, reflecting strengthening agricultural trade ties under the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) Phase-II.

According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China, Pakistan exported 21.1 million kilograms of fish, crustacean, mollusc, and other meat by-product flours, classified under commodity code 23012010, from January to May 2025. These exports, primarily used in animal feed, were valued at $19.87 million, up from $17.17 million in the same period of 2024. The average unit price stood at $0.94 per kilogram.

Industry experts attribute this increase to China’s rising demand for high-protein animal feed, especially for its expanding livestock and aquaculture sectors. Pakistani fishmeal, which is predominantly derived from marine fish waste, has gained traction among Chinese buyers due to its affordable pricing and stable protein content, according to China Economic Net.

Abid Ali, a Pakistani exporter of fish-based feed, highlighted that while Pakistan has made strides in improving fishmeal quality, it generally yields slightly less oil (5–7%) compared to Chinese domestic products (8–10%). He explained this difference stems from variations in raw material quality and processing techniques.

“Pakistani fishmeal is not sold through retail outlets in China,” Ali noted. “It is mainly supplied to feed manufacturers and food processors in provinces like Guangdong, Shandong, and Fujian, where it is blended into feed for poultry, swine, and aquaculture.”

Analysts predict the upward trend will continue, fueled by stable fishing activity along Pakistan’s coastal regions and favorable trade conditions under CPFTA Phase-II. However, they also stress the need for Pakistan to invest in modern processing facilities and stringent quality control to further enhance its competitiveness in China’s feed market.

In 2024, Pakistan exported 22,639.95 tons of fish-based feed to China, worth $24.92 million. That same year, Peru, Chile, and Russia remained the top exporters of fishmeal to China, with export values of $1.466 billion, $291 million, and $271 million, respectively.

Despite the scale of competition, stakeholders believe Pakistan has significant untapped potential to expand its presence in the Chinese market, especially by aligning with broader agricultural cooperation goals under the Belt and Road Initiative.