The Maldives has registered a substantial increase in fish export in the first half of the current year, with exports rising by 43 percent compared with the same period in 2024, according to data published by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). By the end of June, export receipts had reached USD 74.5 million, up from USD 52 million a year earlier, a surge chiefly driven by expanded export volumes.
As fish products continue to anchor the country's export portfolio, monthly value of fish exports throughout the six-month period exhibited considerable variation. April recorded the highest value, totalling USD 18.2 million, followed by February (USD 13.3 million), March (USD 12.4 million), May (USD 11.2 million), June (USD 10.8 million), and January (USD 8.6 million).
Revenue gains were closely paralleled by a 67 percent increase in export volume. Between January and June, the nation exported 44,877.7 metric tonnes of fish, compared with 26,850.8 metric tonnes in the same period last year. This rise in output reflects intensified domestic fishing activity across the country.
Against this backdrop, the administration of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has advanced a strategic vision aimed at fortifying the fisheries sector's contribution to national income and broader economic resilience. In support of this ambition, efforts are progressing to expand both processing and storage infrastructure.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, fish processing capacity is projected to increase nine-fold within the next three years, a commitment indicative of the administration's intent to position the sector as a foundation for sustainable growth.