The Maldives has one of the most distinctive seafood export industries in the Indian Ocean, with tuna forming the backbone of its global fish trade. In 2025, the country exported 76,355.9 metric tons of fish, a sharp recovery from 39,817.1 metric tons in 2024. Fresh, chilled, or frozen tuna alone accounted for 67,238.5 metric tons, including 57,408.8 metric tons of skipjack tuna and 9,720 metric tons of yellowfin tuna. According to the latest Maldives export data and Maldives customs export data for fish, the total value of Maldives fish exports reached $98.79 million in 2025, a massive 85% increase from the previous year. The Maldives exported fish worth $8.85 million in the first quarter of 2026, according to Maldives fish export data under HS code 03.
The Maldives is ranked as the 79th largest exporter of fish worldwide, according to global trade data. The 2025 rebound is particularly important because fish export volumes had fallen dramatically in 2024. The recovery in 2025 was driven primarily by frozen skipjack tuna, which became the largest contributor to fish-export earnings. According to Maldives Monetary Authority data, frozen skipjack tuna represented 55% of fish export earnings in 2025, while canned or pouched tuna accounted for 26%.
For businesses searching for Maldives fish exporters, tuna suppliers, seafood companies, buyers, shipment records, and HS Code 03 trade data, the 2025-26 period provides an important dataset for understanding supplier concentration, product specialization, export markets, and potential sourcing opportunities.
Maldives Fish Export Data 2025-26: Key Highlights
Total fish export volume in 2025: 76,355.9 metric tons
Total fish export value in 2025: $98.79 million
Fresh, chilled or frozen tuna volume: 67,238.5 metric tons
Fresh, chilled or frozen tuna export value: $93.98 million
Skipjack tuna exports: 57,408.8 metric tons
Yellowfin tuna exports: 9,720.0 metric tons
Canned or pouched fish exports: 6,322.6 metric tons
Other processed fish exports: 1,978.3 metric tons
Fresh/chilled/frozen fish excluding tuna: 816.6 metric tons
Frozen skipjack share of fish export earnings: 55%
Canned or pouched tuna share of fish export earnings: 26%
These figures demonstrate that Maldives fish exports are overwhelmingly concentrated around tuna, particularly skipjack tuna.
What Does HS Code 03 Cover?
HS Code 03 refers to the Harmonized System chapter covering fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. The chapter includes multiple categories of seafood rather than only tuna. The major headings under HS Chapter 03 include:
HS 0301: Live fish
HS 0302: Fresh or chilled fish, excluding fillets and other fish meat
HS 0303: Frozen fish, excluding fillets and other fish meat
HS 0304: Fish fillets and other fish meat, fresh, chilled or frozen
HS 0305: Dried, salted, smoked or fish preserved in other specified forms
HS 0306: Crustaceans
HS 0307: Molluscs
HS 0308: Other aquatic invertebrates
HS 0309: Edible fish, crustacean, mollusc & aquatic-invertebrate flours, meals
For Maldives import-export trade research, however, the most commercially significant products within this broad chapter are tuna and other marine fish products. This distinction matters when analyzing a Maldives fish exporters database. A search for HS 03 may produce a broader universe of seafood shipments, whereas a search focused on individual headings such as HS 0303 or product descriptions such as frozen skipjack tuna can provide a more targeted supplier dataset.
Maldives Fish Exports by Country: Where Does the Maldives Export Fish?
The Maldives has a thriving fishery industry that exports seafood to various countries across the globe. When it comes to Maldives fish exports by country, the top destinations include Thailand, Vietnam, Mauritius, and France. Thailand is the largest export destination, as per Maldives exports to Thailand under HS code 03, followed by Vietnam, as per the customs data on Maldives fish exports to Vietnam. These countries value the high quality and freshness of Maldivian fish, such as tuna, which is sustainably sourced from the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean. The top 10 export destinations for Maldivian fish, as per the Maldives shipment data for 2025, include:
1. Thailand: $72.72 million (73.6%)
2. Vietnam: $5.43 million (5.5%)
3. Mauritius: $4.14 million (4.2%)
4. France: $3.90 million (4%)
5. Japan: $2.40 million (2.4%)
6. Sri Lanka: $1.93 million (2%)
7. Switzerland: $1.47 million (1.5%)
8. Germany: $1.24 million (1.3%)
9. Hong Kong: $905K (0.9%)
10. Taiwan: $865K (0.9%)
Maldives Fish Exporters Database: Key Companies
A company-level exporter database can help buyers identify the organizations participating in Maldives' international seafood trade. The leading fish suppliers in the Maldives, according to the Maldives fish exporters database for 2025, include:
1. Ensis Fisheries Pvt Ltd
Approx. Export value in 2025: $25 million
Top exported types: Fresh and frozen Yellowfin Tuna, frozen Skipjack Tuna, canned and pouched tuna, tuna loins, steaks, and sashimi products
Top export destinations: Thailand, United Kingdom
2. Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd (MIFCO)
Approx. export value in 2025: $20 million
Top exported types: Frozen Skipjack Tuna, frozen Yellowfin Tuna, canned tuna, tuna pouches, and fishmeal
Top export destination: Thailand
3. Horizon Fisheries Pvt Ltd
Approx. export value in 2025: $7.5 million
Top exported types: Yellowfin Tuna, tuna loins, canned tuna and tuna pouches
Top export destinations: Bangladesh, Philippines, Sri Lanka
4. Ocean Seafood Pvt Ltd
Approx. export value in 2025: $5 million
Top exported types: Fresh-chilled and frozen Yellowfin Tuna, H&G tuna, loins, steaks, saku blocks, poke cubes, and chunks
Top export destinations: USA, Canada, Sri Lanka
5. Royal Blue Fishing Pvt Ltd
Approx. export value in 2025: $3 million
Top exported types: Fresh Yellowfin Tuna, fresh Skipjack Tuna, reef fish, snapper, and frozen seafood
Top export destination: United Kingdom
6. Alpha Fisheries Pvt Ltd
Approx. export value in 2025: $2.5 million
Top exported types: Fresh and frozen Yellowfin Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, tuna loins, reef fish, snapper, grouper, and other seafood
Top export destinations: European Union & Asian markets
7. Seaspire Maldives
Approx. export value in 2025: $2 million
Top exported types: Yellowfin Tuna and other fish species
Top export destinations: United States, China
8. Ensis Group
Approx. export value in 2025: $1.8 million
Top exported types: MSC Skipjack Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, tuna loins, steaks, chunks, trims and canned/pouched tuna
Top export destinations: Germany, United Kingdom
9. Royal Blue / Hashim Heymaa Fishing operations
Approx. export value in 2025: $1.5 million
Top exported types: Fresh Yellowfin Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, reef fish, and frozen tuna products
Top export destination: United Kingdom
10. Ocean Fresh Pvt Ltd
Approx. export value in 2025: $1 million
Top exported types: Fresh and chilled Yellowfin Tuna, including tuna loins, saku blocks, chunks, steaks, belly, trims, and whole H&G/G&G tuna
Top export destinations: UAE, Europe, USA, and Asia
1. Ensis Fisheries Pvt Ltd
Ensis Fisheries is a major Maldives-based tuna and seafood exporter. The company says it was established in 2002 and specializes in fresh and frozen tuna, canned tuna, pouches, and other seafood products. Its product portfolio includes Yellowfin & Skipjack Tuna in formats such as loins, steaks, chunks, trims, belly, and whole-round products. Its processing operations include an EU-approved cannery in Hulhumale', with stated cold-storage capacity of 1,500 MT and daily processing capacity of 25-30 MT.
2. Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd (MIFCO)
MIFCO is another significant participant in the Maldivian tuna-processing and export industry. The company describes itself as a tuna processor and exporter serving international markets. Its export products include brine-frozen whole tuna, tuna in pouches, canned tuna, and fish meal. MIFCO's Kooddoo Fisheries Complex functions as a central cold-storage and processing hub, with four cold-storage units providing a combined capacity of 2,000 MT.
3. Other Maldives Seafood Exporters
A detailed HS 03 exporter database can extend beyond the most visible companies to identify additional exporters active in specific product categories and trade routes. For example, shipment-level trade sources can be filtered for individual HS headings such as HS 0303, allowing researchers to identify companies involved in frozen fish exports.
However, shipment databases and official national statistics serve different purposes, so company shipment counts should not be treated as equivalent to official national export totals. The value of an exporter database is therefore in connecting the national picture with company-level activity: exporter names, product descriptions, HS codes, shipment dates, destination countries, quantities, and buyer relationships.
Top Exported Fish Products by the Maldives Under HS Code 03
The Maldives has established itself as a significant player in the global seafood market, with its top exported fish products falling under HS Code 03. Known for its high-quality tuna, the Maldives consistently exports fresh and canned tuna products around the world, showcasing the country's expertise in the fishing industry. The major fish products that the Maldives exports under HS code 03, as per the Maldives customs data for 2025, include:
Frozen fish (HS code 0303): $83.35 million
Fish fillets & other fish meat (HS code 0304): $8.29 million
Fish, dried, salted or in brine (HS code 0305): $4.14 million
Fish, fresh or chilled (HS code 0302): $2.13 million
Live fish (HS code 0301): $658K
Maldives Fish Export Data: Last 10 Years Export Performance
Year of Exports | Maldives Fish Export Value ($) |
2016 | $121.52 million |
2017 | $169.96 million |
2018 | $134.52 million |
2019 | $116.44 million |
2020 | $120.77 million |
2021 | $108.81 million |
2022 | $114.38 million |
2023 | $114.56 million |
2024 | $53.30 million |
2025 | $98.79 million |
2026 Quarter 1 | $8.85 million |
Maldives Fish Export Statistics: 2021-2025 Trend
Maldives fish exports show a significant fluctuation over the past five years. The country's fish export volume was 76,890.8 metric tons in 2021, followed by 76,099.8 metric tons in 2022 & 78,766.4 metric tons in 2023. In 2024, exports dropped sharply to 39,817.1 metric tons. The volume then recovered to 76,355.9 metric tons in 2025. The trend can be summarized as:
2021: 76,890.8 MT
2022: 76,099.8 MT
2023: 78,766.4 MT
2024: 39,817.1 MT
2025: 76,355.9 MT
The 2025 volume was therefore almost 92% higher than 2024, bringing fish exports close to the levels recorded before the 2024 decline. The value trend was similarly notable. Fish export earnings rose from $82.40 million in 2024 to $98.79 million in 2025, representing a 63.8% increase. This difference between volume growth and value growth is important for trade analysts because it shows that the recovery was not simply a matter of shipping more fish. The composition & market value of the exported products also influenced the overall export performance.
Tuna Dominates Maldives Fish Exports
Tuna remains the central product in the Maldives seafood export industry. In 2025, fresh, chilled, or frozen tuna exports reached 67,238.5 metric tons, representing the vast majority of total fish export volume. Of this amount, skipjack tuna accounted for 57,408.8 metric tons, while yellowfin tuna accounted for 9,720 metric tons. The dominance of tuna becomes even clearer when export earnings are examined. Fresh, chilled, or frozen tuna generated $93.98 million in 2025, compared with $47.43 million in 2024. The category therefore nearly doubled in value year over year.
Maldives' tuna industry also has a distinct production model. Companies such as Ensis Fisheries and Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company operate within a supply chain based heavily on locally caught tuna and pole-and-line fishing. Ensis Fisheries states that its product range includes frozen, canned, and pouched MSC Skipjack Tuna as well as fresh and frozen Yellowfin Tuna. Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company, meanwhile, identifies itself as a major tuna processor and exporter and offers products including brine-frozen whole tuna, tuna pouches, canned tuna and fish meal.
Skipjack Tuna Becomes the Largest Export-Earning Category
One of the most significant changes in the 2025 Maldives fish trade was the rise of frozen skipjack tuna. According to Maldives Monetary Authority data, frozen skipjack tuna accounted for 55% of total fish export earnings in 2025. This was considerably higher than its 34% share in 2024. At the same time, canned/pouched tuna represented 26% of export earnings, compared with 37% in 2024. The composition of earnings in 2025 was around:
Frozen skipjack tuna: 55%
Canned or pouched tuna: 26%
Frozen yellowfin tuna: 9%
Fresh or chilled yellowfin tuna: 5%
Dried tuna: 3%
Other fish: 2%
This composition provides an important insight for companies using Maldives fish export data for sourcing research. A supplier database based only on generic "fish" searches can hide significant differences between companies involved in raw frozen tuna, fresh yellowfin, canned tuna, pouches, and other processed products.
Maldives Fish Export Data 2026: Latest Available Trends
The 2026 data available through the Maldives Monetary Authority currently extends through July 2026. Fish exports were valued at $6.10 million in July 2026, while second-quarter 2026 fish exports totaled $21.63 million. For volume, fish exports in July 2026 were around 2,620 metric tons, while second-quarter exports totaled around 10,350 metric tons.
Fresh, chilled, or frozen tuna exports were valued at $14.42 million in Q2 2026 and $2.95 million in July 2026. These monthly & quarterly figures should not be interpreted as a full-year 2026 result. They represent the latest available observations and can be used to monitor how Maldives seafood exports are developing during the year.
Why Maldives Fish Exporter Data Matters for Global Buyers
For seafood importers and procurement teams, national export statistics provide only one part of the market picture. A Maldives fish exporters database under HS Code 03 or AI-powered search on Fish export data of the Maldives can be used to investigate:
Names of fish and seafood exporters
Exporter locations
HS Code 03 product categories
Frozen fish shipments under HS 0303
Fresh and chilled fish under HS 0302
Fish fillets and fish meat under HS 0304
Dried, salted and smoked fish under HS 0305
Crustacean and mollusc trade under HS 0306 and HS 0307
Product descriptions
Export quantities
Shipment dates
Destination countries
Overseas buyers
Port and shipment information
Supplier activity over time
Product-specific sourcing patterns
This allows businesses to move from broad market research to a more targeted supplier-discovery process. For example, a buyer looking specifically for frozen skipjack tuna does not need a generic list of seafood companies. The more useful search combines Maldives + HS 0303 + skipjack tuna + port + destination market.
Similarly, a buyer seeking fresh yellowfin can filter by product description, HS code, destination, and shipment activity to identify companies participating in that particular segment. Below is a sample shipment dataset preview of a leading fish exporter in the Maldives. To get the complete database or customized trade reports, contact info@tradeimex.in today!
Maldives Fish Export Market: What the 2025 Data Shows
The 2025 Maldives export data points to several important characteristics of the Maldives seafood export market.
Tuna remains the dominant export commodity: Fresh, chilled, or frozen tuna represented the overwhelming majority of fish-export volume, with 67,238.5 metric tons exported in 2025.
Skipjack tuna is particularly important: The 57,408.8 metric tons of skipjack exported in 2025 represented the largest share of tuna volume, while frozen skipjack accounted for 55% of fish export earnings.
Processed products remain commercially significant: Canned or pouched fish exports totaled 6,322.6 metric tons in 2025, showing that the Maldives seafood industry is not limited to raw or frozen fish exports.
2025 represented a major recovery year: Fish export volume nearly returned to the levels seen in 2021-2023 after the sharp reduction recorded in 2024.
Conclusion and Bottom Line
The Maldives fish export market in 2025-26 is strongly centered on tuna, particularly skipjack and yellowfin tuna. Total fish exports reached 76,355.9 metric tons in 2025, generating around $98.79 million in export earnings. Fresh, chilled, or frozen tuna accounted for 67,238.5 metric tons and $93.98 million, while frozen skipjack tuna alone represented 55% of fish export earnings. The latest 2026 figures show that the market continues to be actively monitored through monthly and quarterly trade data, with official reports currently extending through July 2026. For importers, seafood processors, and sourcing teams, HS Code 03 trade data provides a structured way to examine the Maldives seafood supply chain.
Note For Our Readers
By combining the HS code information with exporter names, product descriptions, shipment quantities, destination countries, & buyer information, businesses can identify suppliers more precisely and evaluate changing trade patterns. A comprehensive Maldives fish exporters database and AI-driven trade research are therefore useful for understanding which companies are active in specific fish categories, where their shipments are going, what products they export & how their international trade activity changes over time.
Contact TradeImeX at info@tradeimex.in to access the latest Maldives import-export data, search Maldives fish export data by country, HS code, or company, and get customized trade reports & market insights for your business.
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