The Maldives recorded a dramatic 87 percent increase in fish exports in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the central bank, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) monthly statistics report.
From January to November 2025, the country exported a total of 69,564 metric tonnes of fish, up from 37,213 metric tonnes during the same period in 2024.
The surge was largely driven by a 105 percent rise in frozen fish exports, which reached 61,281 metric tonnes, up from 29,910 metric tonnes a year earlier.
Exports of canned and pouched fish also grew, increasing by 9.4 percent to 5,788 metric tonnes from 5,289 metric tonnes. Additionally, processed fish exports saw a significant 34.9 percent growth, with 1,745 metric tonnes shipped abroad by November 2025.
As fish remains the largest component of the nation’s export revenue, the government is prioritising the expansion of the fisheries sector by boosting fish processing and cold storage capacity. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources aims to increase processing capacity ninefold within the next three years to sustain export growth and strengthen the industry’s contribution to the national economy.