Pakistan’s exports of animal-origin flours and meals to China rose by 16% during the January-May 2025 period, highlighting expanding bilateral trade in agro-based commodities. According to China’s General Administration of Customs, Pakistan shipped 21,138,180 kilograms of fish, crustacean, mollusk, and meat by-product flours, meals, and pellets (classified under commodity code 23012010, primarily for animal feed) during this timeframe.
These exports achieved a total value of $19.87 million in the first five months of 2025, compared to $17.17 million in the equivalent 2024 period, with an average unit price of $0.94 per kilogram. Industry experts indicate this growth stems from China’s rising demand for high-protein animal feed to support its livestock and aquaculture industries. Pakistani fishmeal—mainly produced from marine fish waste—is favored for its cost efficiency and consistent protein content.
Abid Ali, an exporter of fish flours and meals for animal feed, emphasized Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to enhance export quality. He noted that while domestic Chinese fishmeal typically achieves oil yield rates of 8–10%, Pakistani variants yield 5–7% due to differences in raw materials and processing methods. "In the Chinese market, Pakistani fishmeal is not typically sold through retail channels. Instead, it is absorbed by the food processing and feed manufacturing industries, especially in Guangdong, Shandong, and Fujian provinces, where it is used in formulations for poultry, swine, and aquaculture feed,” Ali added.
Analysts suggest this trend may continue through 2025, supported by stable fishing activities in Pakistan’s coastal regions and favorable import policies under the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) Phase-II. Further investments in processing technology and quality assurance could enable Pakistan to expand its market share in China’s animal feed sector, bolstering agricultural cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Notably, Pakistan exported 22,639.95 tons of fish flours and meals for animal feed in 2024, valued at $24.92 million. Peru, Chile, and Russia led global exports of this commodity to China in 2024, with respective values of $1.466 billion, $291 million, and $271 million.
