Hope and activity run high at the Karachi Fish Harbour these days as Pakistan is hosting a delegation from the European Union’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) arrived here on Monday for a critical inspection of the country’s seafood export facilities.
The team will stay until April 15 and is expected to conduct a detailed assessment of hygiene, safety, and handling procedures—factors that will determine whether more Pakistani companies can gain access to the lucrative European seafood market, WE News English has learnt.
Officials and industry stakeholders alike view this visit as a pivotal opportunity. In preparation for the EU team’s arrival, provincial authorities intensified efforts to enhance compliance with international sanitary standards. Clean-up operations were undertaken at the harbour, illegal encroachments were removed, and the Eid holidays for key fisheries and quality control personnel were also cancelled to ensure all hands on deck during the inspection period.
Marine Fisheries Department Director General Mansoor Wassan expressed optimism about the outcome. “We are hopeful that more companies will be cleared for EU exports,” he said. This could significantly improve revenues, as EU markets offer prices up to twice as high as other markets, he told WE News English.
Wassan added that seafood exports to Europe have steadily increased in recent years—from $3 million in 2020 to over $11 million in 2024. He noted that 30 to 35 additional companies are currently undergoing the EU approval process. “If these companies are approved, Pakistan could witness a substantial jump in seafood export volumes,” he added.
A look back at the 2007 EU ban: This marks the first EU inspection in over a decade. In 2013, four local companies broke the ice and received clearance to export after a similar audit. However, memories remain fresh of the 2007 ban imposed by the EU over poor sanitary conditions and inadequate regulatory oversight.
According to an official familiar with past inspections, the ban was imposed due to multiple sanitary violations. “But one of the primary concerns identified during the inspection was the use of rust-prone iron containers and tools in the handling and processing of seafood,” he told WE News English.
Other concerns were inadequate traceability systems, and fish being processed and stored on unhygienic surfaces. These lapses highlighted serious weaknesses in both handling practices and regulatory oversight at the time.
Officials from the Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority remarked that the primary concern raised by the European Union inspection team was related to traceability. The EU delegation stressed the importance of a thorough tracking system—covering the entire process from the moment the fish is caught to its arrival at the market and processing facilities, with temperature control maintained throughout.
To address this issue, a traceability mechanism has been introduced, and the installation of built-in flake ice systems in fishing vessels has been made mandatory to preserve the cold chain. With funding from the Sindh government, 550 boats were initially upgraded to comply with these standards. Subsequently, all vessels were required to meet the same specifications, resulting in the modification of over 1,000 boats.
In addition, two auction halls at the harbour have been designated and upgraded in accordance with European Union standards, marking a significant move towards the resumption of seafood exports to EU countries.
As a result of these taken steps in 2013, EU lifted its six-year restriction from Pakistan’s seafood trade allowing two fisheries companies to export shrimp and fish products to its 27-nation bloc.
Since then, the Sindh government implemented major reforms, investing Rs. 507 million between 2007 and 2012 to modernise the industry. Improvements include fiberglass boat compartments for fishing storage purposes, replacing the traditional gala system, upgraded traceability systems, and the introduction of plastic crates and stainless-steel trolleys in markets and factories.
An official of the Karachi Fisheries Harbour Authority, who declined to be named, said that the industry is now aligned with EU standards. We’ve addressed the previous shortcomings. Our fish now avoid ground contact, and our tools and storage facilities are fully compliant, he said.
Cautious optimis: Industry stakeholders view the EU assessment as a critical juncture for Pakistan’s seafood sector, offering a potential gateway into one of the world’s most lucrative markets.
Enhanced access to the EU is expected to generate significant economic benefits—ranging from increased foreign exchange earnings and employment generation in the fisheries sector, to heightened international confidence in Pakistan’s food safety and regulatory standards.
Pakistan Seafood Exporters Association Chairman Zafar Iqbal Kundi expressed optimism that recent improvements in quality control and compliance would tip the scales in Pakistan’s favour with EU auditors.
“There is strong demand in Europe for a variety of seafood products, including shrimp, fish, and octopus,” he noted. “Gaining EU approval will not only unlock a high-value market but also enhance Pakistan’s credibility in global trade.”
Industry analysts argue that expanding the number of EU-approved exporters could significantly boost export revenues, as the European markets typically offer higher prices than other destinations.
“Pakistani exporters receive around $3 per kilogram of squid sold to China, whereas the same product can fetch $6 in the European market,” Kundi added. Hopes are also high among local fishing communities. “If exports increase, so will the incomes of our fishermen,” Asif Bhatti, President of the Native Islander Fishermen Association, told WE News English.
This could be a turning point—both economically and socially—for our coastal communities, Asif Bhatti, President of Native Islander Fishermen Association.