Pakistan’s non-textile exports surge 12.83pc in 6MFY25

ISLAMABAD: In the first half of the current fiscal year, exports of non-textile products experienced a significant increase of 12.83 percent, reaching $7.56 billion compared to $6.70 billion during the same period last year. This growth is largely attributed to the rising demand for value-added products, as reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

The non-textile export sector saw a remarkable rise of 24.95%, totaling $14.02 billion in FY24, up from $11.22 billion the previous year. This upward trend in non-textile exports has continued into the current fiscal year, building on last year’s momentum.

Notably, engineering goods exports surged by 28.11 percent in the first half of FY25, with significant contributions from industrial machinery, transportation equipment, auto parts, and rubber tyres. Additionally, cement exports saw a substantial increase, with quantity up by 33.82 percent and export value rising by 23.2 percent during the same period.

Also read: Pakistan’s trade deficit widens despite surge in exports

Footwear exports also showed robust growth, with an overall increase of 18.38 percent. This included a 22.31 percent rise in canvas footwear and a 16.18 percent increase in other footwear. Leather-made products expanded by 6.88 percent, largely driven by a 17.88 percent increase in leather glove exports. However, there was a decline in leather garments, while raw leather exports saw a modest increase of 0.73 percent.

Although Pakistan is recognized as a major supplier of surgical instruments globally, these exports remained low due to rebranding by well-known brands in Western markets, with only a 1.51% increase noted in the first half of FY25.

On the downside, exports for carpets and rugs fell by 7.41 percent, sports goods by 1.57 percent, and gur products (not classified as food) by 32.51 percent during the same period.

Jewellery exports showcased exceptional growth, surging by 71.78%, followed by molasses exports which increased by 102.78 percent, and handicrafts by 45.38 percent. Conversely, furniture exports dropped by 16.89 percent, and gem exports decreased by 28.51 percent.

In the petroleum sector, crude oil exports recorded an extraordinary growth of 100 percent in the first half of FY25 compared to last year, with petroleum product shipments rising even more dramatically by 123.79 percent.

In terms of food exports, raw food items saw an increase of 13.83 percent, with their total value reaching $3.96 billion in FY25, rising from $3.47 billion in the same period last year.