The Maldives has reported a sharp increase in fish exports during the first four months of 2025, with total shipments rising 64.7 percent year-over-year, according to the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). The surge, driven largely by fresh and frozen fish sales, underscores broader efforts to expand the fisheries sector's role in national revenue.
From January to April, the Maldives exported 31,000 metric tonnes of fish, a substantial increase from 19,000 metric tonnes during the same period in 2024, according to the MMA's Monthly Statistics Report. The largest gains were recorded in frozen and fresh skipjack tuna, with exports rising 78 percent to 28,000 metric tonnes, up from 15,000 metric tonnes the previous year.
Other frozen and fresh fish products, excluding skipjack tuna, also saw strong growth. Shipments reached 229 metric tonnes, marking a 40 percent increase compared to the 163 metric tonnes exported a year earlier. Processed tuna followed a similar upward trajectory, with exports expanding 58 percent to 532 metric tonnes, reflecting sustained international demand. While overall exports trended upward, canned and pouched fish shipments declined. Volumes fell to 2,127 metric tonnes from 2,556 metric tonnes in the same period last year, contrasting with gains in other segments.
The government has outlined plans to further develop the fisheries sector, positioning it as a primary driver of national income. Addressing longstanding industry challenges and improving infrastructure remain key priorities, with major initiatives expected to take shape within the administration's first three years.
At the centre of expansion efforts is a new fish canning facility in Hulhumalé, led by the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO). Supported by a USD 65 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in collaboration with the Maldivian government, the plant is designed to bolster processing capacity and increase industrial output. Once operational, it is projected to accommodate a daily canning volume of 35 metric tonnes, strengthening the country's presence in the global seafood market.