Pakistan’s exports of goods recorded a 3.88% decline during the first quarter (July–September) of the current fiscal year, falling by $307 million to $7.59 billion, according to the latest report from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
While the overall export figures show a downward trend, key industrial sectors such as textiles, leather products, sports goods, and surgical instruments posted moderate growth, helping cushion the broader contraction.
Textile sector shows mixed performance
The textile sector, Pakistan’s largest export segment, saw a 5.63% increase in exports during the first quarter, with total shipments valued at $4.77 billion.
Subcategories such as ready-made garments, cotton yarn, knitwear, and bedwear showed strong performance, reflecting continued international demand for Pakistani textile products.
However, textile exports declined by 2% in September by more than $30 million, totaling $1.57 billion, compared to $1.60 billion in the same month last year, raising concerns among industrialists. The Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA) reported that textile exports had already fallen by 7.34% in August, marking the second consecutive month of decline.
Industry leaders in Faisalabad attributed the slowdown to expensive cotton, high electricity and gas prices, and reduced international orders. Cotton cloth exports fell by 25.32%, while towel exports dropped by 5.02% during September.
Sharp decline in food exports
The food sector recorded one of the steepest declines, with exports falling 31.42% to $1.10 billion during the first quarter.
Exports of rice, sugar, vegetables, spices, oilseeds, and tobacco dropped significantly, though shipments of fish, fruits, and meat increased slightly during the same period, reflecting demand fluctuations across subcategories.
Industrial goods see sectoral variations
Exports of surgical equipment increased by 1.52%, reaching $111.4 million, while leather manufacturers’ exports rose by 1.46% to $152.7 million.
Similarly, sports goods, particularly football exports, recorded an upward trend, though carpet and glove exports decreased compared to the previous year.
Auto-related exports also performed strongly, with auto parts exports jumping 16% to $6.447 million, and rubber tire and tube exports up 16.58% to $28.5 million.
The cement industry reported one of the strongest gains, with exports increasing 51.86% to $99 million, signaling renewed demand in foreign construction markets.
Decline in chemicals, petroleum, coal exports
On the downside, chemical exports dropped by 18% to $332.9 million, while petroleum and coal exports declined sharply by 26.6%, with total exports in this category valued slightly above $30 million.
These declines reflect lower global demand and reduced domestic production amid rising input costs and energy challenges.
Industrial concerns and future outlook
Industrialists have voiced concern over the continuing decline in textile and food exports, warning that prolonged energy price hikes and raw material shortages could threaten production sustainability.
They emphasized the need for competitive energy tariffs, improved logistics, and export-friendly financing policies to help industries recover in the coming quarters.
