The Maldives exported 16,991 metric tonnes of fish during the first six months of the year, according to statistics released by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA).
Fresh and chilled fish products accounted for the largest share of fish exports.
The latest statistics published by the MMA show that fish exports totalled 16,991 metric tonnes during the first half of the year, compared with 44,791 metric tonnes during the corresponding period last year. This represents a 62 per cent decline.
During the first six months of the year, the Maldives exported 13,083 metric tonnes of fresh and chilled fish products. This represents a decline of 67 per cent from the 40,659 metric tonnes exported during the same period last year.
Fresh and chilled skipjack tuna accounted for the largest volume of fish exports. A total of 10,603 metric tonnes of skipjack tuna was exported during the first six months of the year, down 70 per cent from the 36,112 metric tonnes exported during the first half of 2025.
Monthly statistics released by the MMA also show that exports of canned fish declined by 11 per cent during the first six months of the year. The Maldives exported 2,702 metric tonnes of canned fish during the period, compared with 3,056 metric tonnes during the same period last year.
The statistics indicate that the decline in fish exports was due to reduced fishing activity during the first six months of the year.
However, the price paid for fish by Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) and private buyers increased during the same period. The purchasing price of skipjack tuna rose from USD 1.04 per kilogramme at the beginning of the year to USD 1.30 per kilogramme.
The Government aims to expand the fisheries sector and develop it into one of the country’s largest revenue-generating industries.
As part of this effort, work is underway to develop fisheries facilities and address challenges facing the industry within the first three years of the current Administration.