July 29, 2013

Pakistan resumes seafood exports to EU after six-year ban

Pakistani seafood exports to the EU have resumed in February this year after a six-year ban due to hygiene issues, with shipments from two fisheries approved by the 27-member bloc.

The clearance of the first export consignment to the EU is a positive sign for the export of shrimp and fish products from Pakistan, said Zubair Ahmed Malik, president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)

At the time of the suspension in 2007, Pakistan was exporting US$50 million worth of seafood products to the EU, which constituted 26% of Pakistan's global seafood trade. With the imposition of the ban, Pakistan's seafood exports had suffered considerably. Exports of seafood stood at US$317 million in 2012-13.

Zubair Ahmed Malik said that the removal of the ban would have a significant effect on Pakistan's seafood exports to the EU, and other premium markets.