Textile exports in Pakistan have witnessed a notable hike of 10.5 percent during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, reaching $7.61 billion. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics is the institution that has released this data officially.
A sudden decline of 3.09% was seen in July, but the sector reflected a massive recovery with consistent growth over the following months:
- 13% in August
- 17.92% in September
- 13.11% in October
- 10.81% in November.
This steady upward trajectory reflects the sector’s unwavering resilience, despite ongoing alarming challenges.
Experts remain cautiously optimistic, pointing out that while Pakistani garments have benefited from disruptions in supply from Bangladesh, structural issues and harsh taxation measures implemented this fiscal year make it difficult for the industry to compete with regional rivals like India and Vietnam. With an installed capacity of $25 billion, the sector has struggled to break through its plateau in recent years.
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PBS data highlights a remarkable surge in the exports of value-added products. Readymade garments have also witnessed an extreme rise of 23.1 percent in value and quantity wise it is almost 13.61%, while knitwear exports rose by 18.42% in value and 8.87% in quantity during the July-November period. Similarly, bedwear exports grew by 15.05% in value and 14.86% in quantity, and towel exports increased by 7.08% in value and 6.90% in quantity.
However, not all subsectors fared equally well. Yarn exports dropped sharply by 38.70%, and cotton cloth exports showed mixed performance, with a 4.18% rise in value but a 2.09% decrease in quantity. The country recorded no raw cotton exports during this period.
On the import side, the trends were equally diverse. Raw cotton imports surged by a staggering 104.33%, reflecting domestic production gaps. Meanwhile, the import of synthetic fiber declined by 18.20%, whereas synthetic silk yarn imports rose by 4.30%. The arrival of other textile-related items also saw a significant increase of 68.73%. Interestingly, second-hand clothing imports grew by 20.22%, signaling demand shifts in certain markets.
Despite the challenges, the overall export performance of the country improved. Total exports for July-November FY25 increased by 12.82%, climbing to $13.72 billion compared to $12.16 billion during the same period last year.
The robust and enthralling performance of the textile sector in major areas reflects its potential to contribute further to stabilize the economy of Pakistan. However, addressing structural inefficiencies and fostering a more competitive environment will be essential for sustaining this growth.