Bangladesh steps up efforts to boost fish export; eyes bigger share of global sea food market

Bangladesh is stepping up efforts to expand its fish and fishery product exports by strengthening food safety, promoting value-added products and exploring new international markets, as the government targets annual export earnings of US$1 billion from the sector by 2030.

The initiatives are aimed at strengthening the country’s position in the global seafood market by ensuring that its products meet international quality and safety standards while reducing dependence on traditional export destinations, according to an official document.

Under the Fish and Fish Products (Inspection and Quality Control) Act, 2020 and related rules, the Department of Fisheries is ensuring processing plant inspection, export consignment inspection, health certification, hygiene and sanitation control, and food safety compliance through its Fish Inspection and Quality Control (FIQC) activities.

Three ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories in Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna are carrying out microbiological, chemical and residue testing. Under the National Residue Control Plan (NRCP), antibiotic residues, pesticide residues, heavy metals and other contaminants are being tested regularly.

Of the 107 fish processing plants in the country, 77 are EU-approved, according to the document.

Efforts are continuing to ensure that these establishments follow HACCP, Good Hygiene Practices, sanitation and international food safety standards.

The government has also moved to strengthen farm-to-export traceability, from production or catch through to processing and export, and to expand digital traceability and electronic documentation.

Emphasis is being placed on an uninterrupted cold chain through modern ice plants, insulated boxes, refrigerated transport, cold storage, blast freezing/IQF and temperature monitoring, the document reads.

Instead of raw or minimally processed products, the focus is now on producing and exporting value-added items, including peeled and deveined (P&D) shrimp, IQF seafood, fish fillets, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat seafood, processed crab and consumer-packed products.

Initiatives have been taken to tap the export potential of shrimp, crab, eel and high-value marine fish, the official document said.

At the production level, food safety risks are being reduced through Good Aquaculture Practices, quality fish seed and feed, biosecurity, disease control, water quality monitoring and the responsible use of aquaculture medicines.

To meet WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) requirements, as well as importers' food safety, residue, traceability and certification standards, FIQC activities are being stepped up.

Alongside retaining traditional markets such as the EU, the USA and Japan, the government is working to expand exports to China, South Korea, the Middle East, ASEAN countries and other potential markets.

The government is also taking initiatives to make optimum use of marine fisheries resources and boost marine fish exports through modern fishing technology, onboard handling, icing, cold chain and sustainable fisheries management.

The government's aim is not merely to raise fish production but to produce and export "safe, quality, traceable and value-added fish and fishery products", officials said.

Efforts through an integrated system covering FIQC, accredited laboratories, NRCP, HACCP, SPS compliance, traceability, cold chain, value addition and export market diversification will continue to consolidate Bangladesh's position in the international market, they added.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has set a target of raising its annual export earnings from fisheries and fish products to US$1 billion by 2030, up from around $504.58 million in fiscal 2025-26.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid told Parliament on Tuesday said the Department of Fisheries had prepared a five-year action plan to implement the government’s election manifesto, setting the export earnings target as part of its efforts to expand the country’s fisheries sector.

The minister said Bangladesh earned $504.58 million, equivalent to around Tk6,193 crore, by exporting 93,530 tonnes of fish and fish products in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The export earnings were $501 million from 90,620 tonnes in FY25, indicating an increase in both volume and value in the following fiscal year, he said.

The minister had said improved infrastructure, policy support, quality production, processing facilities and value addition could help the fisheries sector emerge as a stronger non-RMG export driver for Bangladesh.

According to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and Bangladesh Bank, the fisheries sector maintained positive export growth despite the global economic slowdown and unfavourable conditions in international markets.

While the country’s overall merchandise export earnings fell slightly from $48.28 billion in FY25 to $48 billion in FY26, the contribution of fisheries to total exports increased from 1.04 percent to 1.05 percent.

The document mentioned that Bangladesh exports fish and fish products to more than 52 countries, with the European Union remaining the largest destination.

Other major markets include China, India, the United States, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Nepal, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore and Qatar.

Frozen shrimp, particularly Bagda and Golda varieties, account for the largest share of Bangladesh’s fish exports.

The country also exports crabs, eels, snails, mussels, marine fish, cuttlefish, squid, octopus, lobsters, scallops, freshwater fish, catfish, dried fish, fish maw, fish scales and shrimp shells.

The fisheries sector also made a significant contribution to the domestic economy, accounting for 2.53 percent of the country’s GDP and 22.26 percent of agricultural GDP.

Despite geopolitical tensions, wars, volatile energy prices, high inflation, declining consumer purchasing power in Europe and the United States, and disruptions to global supply chains, the fisheries sector maintained positive export growth in FY26.

The country’s overall export earnings declined by 0.58 percent during the fiscal year, while fisheries exports continued to grow, he said.