#maldives export

The Maldives is widely known for its luxury tourism industry, white-sand beaches, and marine economy. In terms of earning source, Tourism is the single largest income source for the Maldives. It accounts for roughly one-third of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and brings in over 60% of the country's foreign exchange earnings. Still, the country is also steadily developing its export sector through fisheries, processed seafood, marine products, and niche agricultural exports. Despite being one of the world’s smallest economies by land area, the Maldives plays an important role in regional Indian Ocean trade networks and global seafood supply chains, as per the Maldives export products list.

According to the Global Trade Data and Maldives Export Data, the total value of the Maldives' exports in 2025 ranged between $142.95 million and $209.65 million. The Export rate of the Maldives is rising significantly year over year. The Maldives recorded a 12% rise in exports during the first half of 2025. The major part of the Export of the Maldives was fisheries. Fish exports surged dramatically by 87–92% year-on-year, cementing the fisheries sector as the backbone of Maldivian global trade.

Maldives Export Products List

Let's discuss the products of the Maldives that they were exporting. The Maldives exports various products. Top Maldives exported products are as follows:

Fish and Seafood (HS Code: 03)

Fish and seafood are the major export products that he exports to the world. In 2025, the Maldives experienced a historic boom in its fisheries sector, with total fish and seafood exports surging by over 87% compared to 2024. The most demanding and highest-volume fish exports from the Maldives are Skipjack tuna and Yellowfin tuna.

Preparation of Fish and Seafood (HS Code: 16)

The preparation of fish and seafood products encompasses the steps required to clean, process, and preserve them for safe consumption. $35.37 Million Value-added fish preparations. It generally includes canned tuna, smoked fish, and ready-to-cook seafood. It represents the second-largest export segment. These products command higher margins and reflect ongoing efforts to move up the seafood value chain.

Prepared Animal Food (Hs Code: 23)

It generally encompasses commercial pet food, animal feed, and marine-based byproducts designed for animal consumption. It shares 4% of exports in total exports of the Maldives. The Maldives is the 3rd largest exporter in the world in this category, as it earns approx $ 4.21 millions in 2025. 

Iron and Steel (HS Code 72)

It is another export product of the Maldives. These exports primarily consist of industrial scrap metal, salvaged marine construction parts, and reprocessed metal items. It contributes 1.98% of the total Maldives exports. According to global trade data, it earned approximately $2.82million in 2025. 

Maldives Fish Export Performance in 2025

The fisheries products of the Maldives play a very significant role in the growth of the total exports of the Maldives. In global aggregates, the Maldives generally ranks outside the top 15 overall seafood exporters by value, but it is globally recognized as a top-tier exporter for skipjack and yellowfin tuna. Fish and seafood account for roughly 69% of the country’s total export revenue. In the first half of the year alone, fish exports surged 43% compared to H1 2024, reaching $74.5 million by the end of June, up from $52 million a year earlier. 

In terms of volume or quantity, the Maldives exported over 44,877 metric tonnes of fish, compared to approximately 26,850 metric tonnes in the same period the previous year. This near-doubling of export volume signals intensified domestic fishing activity and improved fleet capacity, rather than just price-driven revenue gains.

Key Performance of Metrics and Drivers

Export Volume

Export figures for fish products (like skipjack and yellowfin tuna) recorded a sharp 87% increase compared to 2024. 

Target Markets

Thailand remains the largest export destination for Maldivian fish, followed by major European markets such as France and Germany. 

Sustainability Edge

A major competitive advantage for the Maldivian fishing industry is its Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for its sustainable pole-and-line skipjack tuna fishery. 

Industry Value

Total exports of fish and fishery products typically amount to roughly $156.2 million annually. 

Conclusion