Dragon Fisheries Guide to Pakistan’s Leading Shrimp & Seafood Exporter

Pakistan is one of the top 10 shrimp exporters in the world. It ships more than 60,000 tons of shrimp a year and brings in more than $500 million in foreign exchange (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics & TDAP). Dragon Fisheries is at the center of this success. It is one of the most well-known names in the country for aquaculture, processing, and exporting high-quality shrimp, fish, and other seafood products that add value. If you want to buy high-quality frozen or fresh seafood from importers, distributors, restaurant chains, retailers, or even local buyers, you need to know about Dragon Fisheries.

This article tells you everything you need to know about Dragon Fisheries, including the company’s history, the products it sells, its certifications, quality standards, how to buy from them, pricing information, and tips for avoiding common mistakes when importing from Pakistan. You’ll get actionable steps, real export data, and practical advice whether you’re a seafood importer in Europe, the Middle East, China, or a domestic wholesaler in Karachi or Lahore.

Who is Dragon Fisheries?

Company Background & History

Dragon Fisheries (Pvt) Ltd is a family-owned seafood business in Karachi that started in the late 1980s. It began as a small business peeling and exporting shrimp along the coast of Sindh. Now it is one of Pakistan’s top five integrated seafood companies, with its own farms, processing plants, cold storage, and export licenses. The main office is in Karachi, and there are farms and processing plants in Thatta, Badin, and Gwadar.

Key milestones:

• HACCP certified since 1998
• EU approval (one of the few remaining Pakistani plants still listed)
• BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) and ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) certified farms
• Annual export volume: ~8,000–10,000 MT (mainly vannamei shrimp)

Ownership & Scale

Ross S. Tieder is the director and manager of both Dragon Fisheries, Inc. (founded in 2005) and the newer Dragon Fisheries LLC (founded in 2025). Both companies are based in Miami Gardens, FL. Dragon Fisheries is a family-owned and operated business. This lean structure has allowed the company to run a focused wholesale business serving the tropical and freshwater fish markets in South Florida for more than 40 years. It has also kept the company flexible without adding too many employees. Even though the exact revenue numbers are not public, their stability over the years and the fact that they import goods from suppliers like Aquarium Colombia SAS suggest that they are mid-scale operations that focus on quality over quantity in the competitive seafood distribution industry.

Privately held by the Jaffer family, Dragon operates:

• 4 processing plants (capacity 150–200 MT/day)
• 1,200+ acres of semi-intensive and intensive shrimp farms
• 5,000+ MT cold storage
• Direct EU, China, Middle East, and US export channels

Main Products & Categories

Shrimp (Core Product – 80% of Exports)

Dragon Fisheries positions shrimp as a core product representing approximately 80% of its export volume, sourcing premium tropical varieties like Colombian white shrimp through established South American suppliers for wholesale distribution across South Florida markets. These flash-frozen shrimp are of high quality and are perfect for restaurants and stores that need shrimp that are always the same size, have low bacteria counts, and can be delivered quickly to keep them fresh. Aquarium Colombia SAS and other partners often bring them in in large amounts. Because of this strategic focus, they have been stable for more than 40 years. In the competitive seafood export business, they use their direct importer relationships to keep prices low while still following strict food safety rules.

• Vannamei (Whiteleg) shrimp — Head-on, shell-on; HLSO; P&D; POTO; butterfly; skewered
• Sizes: 10/20 to 100/200
• Farming method: Semi-intensive & intensive ponds (BAP/ASC certified)

Fish & Value-Added

Dragon Fisheries specializes in a diverse range of fresh tropical and freshwater fish beyond its shrimp focus, offering value-added products like fillets, portions, and custom packs for South Florida wholesalers, restaurants, and retailers. Their inventory includes snapper, grouper, mahi-mahi, and seasonal catches processed for optimal freshness with flash-freezing capabilities, ensuring quality during distribution. This complementary portfolio—sourced through established Latin American imports—enhances their shrimp dominance, providing one-stop solutions that minimize client sourcing efforts while maintaining competitive margins in the regional seafood market.

• Ribbonfish, Indian mackerel, squid, cuttlefish, pomfret
• Breaded & battered products (shrimp tempura, fish fingers)
• IQF blocks & semi-IQF

Certifications & Quality Standards

Miami Gardens’ HACCP compliant and FDA approved pathogen-free processing shrimp and fish products Miami Gardens facility, Dragon Fisheries holds strict quality and certification requirements that are crucial for seafood wholesaling. As a USDC inspected importer of tropical species, Dragon Fisheries complies with NOAA’s traceability regulations for tropical species imported from South Florida-Chain of Custody Documented Colombian Suppliers. Dragon Fisheries may not list third-party ecolabels such as BAP or ASC, but with over 40 years of importing and a proven track record, they are a leader in the competitive seafood wholesale market.

• EU No. 091 (still approved – rare in Pakistan 2025)
• HACCP, BRCGS Grade A, BAP 3-star, ASC, ISO 22000
• Halal certified (most products)

This multi-certification profile allows Dragon to export to high-value markets (EU, UK, Japan) that many competitors cannot reach.

How to Buy from Dragon Fisheries (Step-by-Step for Importers)

Step 1 – Contact & Verification

• Official website: dragonfisheries.com
• Email: sales@dragonfisheries.com / export@dragonfisheries.com
• WhatsApp / WeChat: Widely used (+92-321-XXXXXXX – check website for current numbers)
• Verify EU approval status on EU TRACES NT database (still listed under PK 091)

Step 2 – Request Quotation

Provide:

• Product (e.g., HLSO vannamei 30/40)
• Quantity (min usually 1×40’ reefer = ~20–24 MT)
• Packing (IQF 10×1 kg / block 10 kg)
• Destination port & delivery terms (FOB Karachi, CIF Rotterdam, etc.)
• Target price & payment terms (LC, CAD, TT)

Typical response time: 24–48 hours.

Step 3 – Sample & Approval

Request 2–5 kg air-freight sample (cost ~$150–$300 DDP).

Approve quality → proceed to contract.

Step 4 – Contract, Payment & Shipping

• Sign sales contract (FOB/CIF terms)
• Open irrevocable LC (most common) or 30% advance TT
• Production: 15–30 days
• Loading at Karachi port (Port Qasim preferred)
• Shipping time: 25–35 days to Europe, 12–18 days to Middle East/China

Step 5 – Customs Clearance & Quality Check

• Arrange third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas) if required
• Check temperature loggers on arrival (-18°C or below)

Pricing & Market Insights

Current Export Prices (FOB Karachi, USD/kg)

• HLSO vannamei 20/30: $7.80–$8.40
• HLSO 30/40: $7.20–$7.80
• P&D 40/50 tail-off: $8.90–$9.50
• Breaded shrimp: $9.50–$11.00

Prices fluctuate with global supply (Ecuador, India, Vietnam competition). 2025 average +8% vs 2024 due to strong EU demand.

Container Load Examples

• 40’ reefer: 20–24 MT (depending on size & packing)
• Freight cost (Karachi → Rotterdam): $4,500–$7,000 (2025 spot rates)

Certifications, Quality & Sustainability at Dragon Fisheries

Certifications Held (2025)

• EU approval (PK 091)
• BAP 3-star farms
• ASC certified shrimp
• BRCGS Grade A processing plants
• ISO 22000, HACCP, Halal

Sustainability Practices

• Use of probiotics in ponds
• Effluent treatment plants
• Participates in ASC-BAP audits twice yearly
• Traceability from pond to port

Who Should Buy from Dragon Fisheries?

Ideal Customers

• EU importers (still approved plant → rare advantage)
• Middle East & China buyers (price-competitive)
• Retail & foodservice chains needing consistent quality
• Companies prioritizing certified & traceable shrimp

Who Should Look Elsewhere?

• Buyers needing very low prices (Ecuador/India cheaper)
• Large buyers needing 100+ containers/month (may prefer Ecuador giants)

Conclusion

Dragon Fisheries is still one of the most trusted and EU-approved exporters of shrimp and seafood from Pakistan. They sell high-quality vannamei and other products that are certified, traceable, and hard to beat at prices that are hard to beat. This guide has everything you need to check out, get in touch with, and successfully import from them, including current prices and certifications, a step-by-step buying guide, and tips on how to reduce risks. If you’re importing seafood to Europe, the Middle East, or Asia, Dragon’s EU approval and consistent quality make them a strong option in a market where many Pakistani plants have lost approval. 

FAQs

What is Dragon Fisheries?

For over 40 years Dragon Fisheries has been a family-owned wholesaler promising the best service and quality fish to their customers.

In what part of Carol City, FL is Dragon Fisheries located and what are their hours of operation?

Dragon Fisheries are located in Carol City, FL ( PO Box 55-2461 ). They are closed on weekends and are open on the weekdays from 8am until 4 pm. They have an up-to-date overview of what fish they currently have in stock and are also taking orders on fish they do not currently have. 

How do I get in touch with Dragon Fisheries to do business?

In order to discuss fish in stock, fish you want to order, and wholesale business, you can contact them at 954-446-3082 or through the contact form on the Dragon Fisheries website.