Pakistan’s export performance showed mixed trends during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, with overall shipments declining despite a strong rebound in January, according to official trade data.
Overall Export Performance
Between July and January, the country’s exports fell by 7.11 percent, translating into a reduction of approximately $1.34 billion. Total exports dropped from $19.58 billion in the same period last year to $18.19 billion this year.
However, January 2026 brought encouraging signs. Monthly exports surged by 35 percent, crossing the $3 billion mark, indicating a possible recovery in external demand and improved shipment activity across selected sectors.
Sector-Wise Breakdown
The data reveals contrasting trends among major export categories.
Textiles
Textile exports — Pakistan’s largest export segment — posted a modest growth of 1.25 percent during the seven-month period, increasing by about $134.5 million to reach $10.90 billion. In January alone, textile exports grew by 3.14 percent.
Higher exports were recorded in raw cotton, cotton yarn, ready-made garments, and tents, suggesting improved global demand for certain value-added and raw textile products.
Manufacturing and Engineering Goods
Exports of manufacturing equipment rose by 12.73 percent in January, while the cumulative export value of this segment during the seven months stood at $2.38 billion.
Positive growth was noted in auto parts, cement, engineering goods, electric fans, electrical machinery, rubber tyres and tubes, and furniture. Sports goods — including globally recognized “Made in Pakistan” footballs — also recorded an increase, reflecting steady international demand.
At the same time, the broader “other manufacturing” group declined by 5.17 percent overall, indicating uneven recovery across industrial sectors.
Food Exports
Food exports saw a sharp contraction during the period under review. Shipments declined from $4.61 billion to $2.98 billion, marking a significant drop. The data indicates reduced exports of rice, oilseeds, vegetables, jaggery, spices, tobacco, and cotton-related food products.
Despite the overall decline, exports of wheat, fish, and fruits showed growth, partially offsetting losses in other food categories.
Other Declining Sectors
Several traditional export sectors experienced downturns, including petroleum products, surgical and medical equipment, leather goods, canvas footwear, carpets and rugs, gloves, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cutlery, plastic materials, transport equipment, jewelry, handicrafts, and gym-related products.
Mixed Outlook
The data suggests that while certain sectors — particularly textiles, engineering goods, and sports products — demonstrated resilience, broad-based weakness in food and other manufacturing exports weighed on the overall performance.
The strong uptick in January exports offers cautious optimism for the remaining months of the fiscal year. Analysts say sustained recovery will depend on global demand conditions, currency stability, energy costs, and improvements in industrial productivity.
