Karachi, April 16, 2026– In a significant development for Pakistan’s seafood export sector, the Marine Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has successfully secured the registration of 16 Pakistani fisheries exporters with the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (ROSSELKHOZNADOR / FSVPS). This milestone opens the doors to the vast and lucrative Russian market for Pakistani seafood and fisheries products.
The breakthrough follows the submission of complete dossiers of the 16 exporters to the Russian agency in 2024. Despite prolonged efforts, the process faced delays until a high-level diplomatic push in early 2025 resolved outstanding issues.
On February 2025, the Ambassador of Pakistan to Russia, Mr. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, alongside Ms. Shabana Mumtaz, Minister for Trade and Investment, held a pivotal meeting with Mr. Dankvert, Head of ROSSELKHOZNADOR. The delegation received crucial support from Mr. Denis Nazarov, the Trade Representative of Russia in Pakistan, whose facilitation proved instrumental in bridging regulatory and procedural gaps.
Thanks to the dedicated and coordinated efforts of the Pakistan Mission in Moscow, Mr. Denis Nazarov, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), and all other stakeholders, the registration process has been successfully finalized.
With this registration, the 16 Pakistani fisheries exporters are now authorized to export seafood and fisheries products to the Russian Federation—a massive and high-value market. This achievement is expected to boost Pakistan’s food exports, enhance foreign exchange earnings, and create new opportunities for growth within the local fisheries sector.
The Government of Pakistan extends its gratitude to the Russian authorities for their cooperation and reaffirms its commitment to facilitating market access for Pakistani exporters through sustained diplomatic and commercial engagement.
