The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) reported a strong year for the fisheries sector in 2025, with fish exports up 92 per cent.

In its 2025 Annual Report, the MMA highlighted the surge in fish exports as one of the strongest indicators of growth within the sector. The increase was attributed to higher fish purchases by local processing companies and rising demand for Maldivian fish products in international markets.

The fisheries sector’s Gross Value Added (GVA) also recorded a strong recovery. After declining by 33.1 per cent in 2024, the sector expanded by 30.8 per cent in 2025. The total volume of fish purchased from fishermen rose by 66 per cent, reaching 88.3 thousand metric tonnes.

Growth in the sector was driven primarily by skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna. Skipjack tuna, which accounted for 82 per cent of total fish purchases, increased by 80 per cent, while yellowfin tuna, contributing 17 per cent, rose by 20 per cent. Combined, the two species accounted for 99 per cent of total fisheries production.

Export volumes also remained strong, with 76.4 thousand metric tonnes of fish exported during the year. Exports of frozen skipjack tuna surged by 158 per cent, alongside increases in frozen yellowfin tuna, canned fish and dried fish.

As a result, revenue generated from fisheries products rose by 56 per cent, reaching USD 52.2 million.

Despite ongoing challenges in global markets, the Maldivian economy recorded robust growth, expanding from 3.5 per cent in 2024 to 6.3 per cent in 2025. Tourism, financial services and the fisheries sector were identified as the main drivers of this growth.