Karachi Fish Port is undergoing a large reform in preparation for a review of the coming scrutiny by the European Union (EU) in the first week of April.
The scrutiny, conducted by the Director of the European Commission for Health, Food, Auditing and Analysis, will hold exporters to ship shipping products to the European Union countries.
The Ministry of Marine Fishing Fisheries (MFD) informed the authorities that the evaluation will focus on compliance with the European Commission’s systems, which impose strict reviews at each stage of the supply chain – from fishing boats and landing sites to processing and storage facilities.
In November 2024 and January 2025, MFD issued messages to stakeholders, expressing dissatisfaction with bad sewage conditions in the Karachi Fish port, including dangerous palaces in landing sites and auction halls. To address these concerns, MFD has instructed the KFHA Port Authority (KFHA) and the Cooperative Fishermen’s Cooperation Association (FCSL) to improve facilities, including fishing boats and auction areas that deal with fish fisheries products intended for the export of the European Union.
The administration confirmed that hygiene and sanitation improvements are crucial to avoid any possible export ban. Basic measures such as appropriate hand washing stations, waste disposal facilities, and the supply of drinking ice are performed from approved plants.
Mohamed Zafar Iqbal Kundi, President of the Exporters Association in Pakistan (PFEA), confirmed that the exporters are well ready to review the European Union. He said, “Our treatment units and exporters are ready,” adding that compliance efforts are accelerated before Eidul Fitr.
Currently, only four sources in Pakistan are allowed to export fish fisheries products to the European Union. However, three additional sources submitted applications for approval. According to Kundi, the upcoming review will review each of the already approved units and those who seek approval.
More exporters also submit requests to MFD, which will be sent to the European Union if current requests are approved.
“If we can increase the number of exporters to 12, Pakistan has the ability to earn 200 to 300 million dollars annually from exports to European Union countries,” Conde expects.
Zahid Khimtio, the administrative director of KFHA, stressed that many government agencies are working together to meet the standards of the European Union. He said: “We participated in the solid waste management board in the bond to keep the port clean, while the encroachments were removed throughout the region.”
Another KFHA official highlighted that 611 fishing boats have already been modified to meet the standards of the European Union. Power plans to display these boats to the European Union audit team during their visit.
A process of combating infringement was also conducted in the areas where illegal allocations were carried out by the Cooperative Fishermen Association Ltd.
As part of the port’s renovation, iron vehicles are modified in auction halls with fiber paint, while more than 100 steel steel vehicles, platforms, platforms, boxes for landing, dealing and transporting fish fisheries are provided. Stray dogs are removed from the area, and abandoned fishing boats are cleared from the port channel.
Despite these efforts, exports of the total fish and fishing products in Pakistan remained relatively stagnant.
In the first eight months of the fiscal year 2025, the total exports amounted to 125,945 tons (263.5 million dollars), compared to 126,962 tons (262 million dollars) in the same period last year. In the fiscal year 24, the total exports were registered at 200,709 tons (410 million dollars), a decrease from 214,542 tons (496.5 million dollars) in the 23rd year.
Industry experts believe that increasing the number of European Union exporters can significantly enhance revenue, as European markets provide higher prices compared to other regions. Condi pointed to the variation in prices, explaining that the Pakistani exporters receive $ 3 per kilogram of squid exported to China, while the product itself brings $ 6 in the European market.
He said: “Europe is a very profitable market for Pakistani shrimp, squid and spinning.” “There is the demand there, but the limited number of accredited exporters restricts our capabilities. If more companies get approval, we can significantly increase our exports.”
As the European Union includes 27 countries and represents a potential market worth $ 6 billion for Pakistani seafood, Conde is still optimistic. “Every European country offers better prices than its peers,” he pointed out. “This is an opportunity that Pakistan cannot miss.”
