Pakistan has significant potential for fish farming, particularly in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh, with approximately 13,000 operational farms nationwide. The sector, which includes both large-scale commercial operations and smaller private farms, is growing steadily. However, the recent catastrophic floods in Punjab have severely impacted this progress, destroying numerous fish farms and triggering a crisis in fish production and market supply.
While recent flooding in the main rivers of Punjab has displaced millions across low-lying plains, it has also inflicted devastating damage on fish farms, especially in regions such as Kasur, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, and Muzaffargarh. According to Punjab Fisheries Department sources, dozens of farms in these districts were completely or partially destroyed. The high water flow swept away millions of fish into open water bodies and destroyed pond boundaries, structures, and infrastructure painstakingly developed by farmers over the years. Initial estimates place losses in the crores of rupees.
Lahore Fish Market President Chaudhry Islam told APP that large quantities of fish were previously transported daily from southern and central Punjab to Lahore. However, due to the flood-related destruction, production has dropped by nearly 40 percent. He warned that fish prices may increase by 30 to 40 percent in the coming days as supply continues to shrink.
Punjab Fisheries Director General Rana Saleem Afzal stated that all flood-affected districts have been directed to compile detailed damage assessment reports for both fish and shrimp farms. These reports will form the basis of official government relief responses. According to the Fish Farmers Association, urgent government action is needed to prevent widespread economic collapse in the sector. They warned that, without intervention, thousands of fish farmers could face bankruptcy, which would also lead to a severe protein shortage in the market, as fish remains a key, affordable source of protein for millions of people in Pakistan.
Fisheries experts estimate that the floods have led to a 40 percent drop in production and fish stock losses worth billions of rupees. As a result, the anticipated 30-40 percent hike in prices is expected to impact not only the farmers but also the broader fish market and consumers.