Pakistan’s exports rise by 8.42 per cent in July-February period

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s export and import activity saw notable changes during the first eight months of fiscal year 2024-25, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

From July to February 2024-25, the country’s exports reached $22.074 billion, marking an 8.42 per cent increase from $20.359 billion in the same period last year. Imports during the same timeframe also grew by 7.60 per cent, totalling $37.875 billion compared to $35.199 billion in the previous year.

However, February 2025 saw a dip in export performance. Exports fell by 15.59 per cent to $2.491 billion, down from $2.951 billion in January 2025. Compared to February 2024, exports also recorded a 3.56 per cent decrease, as they had amounted to $2.583 billion during that month.

Imports in February 2025 also shrank by 8.52 per cent, standing at $4.810 billion, compared to $5.258 billion in January 2025. Despite this monthly drop, imports were up 11.70 per cent year-on-year, as they had totalled $4.306 billion in February 2024.

With these figures, the trade deficit for February 2025 stood at $2.319 billion. Cumulatively, from July to February 2024-25, the country’s trade deficit amounted to $15.801 billion.

Among the top exports in February 2025 were knitwear (Rs102.1 billion), readymade garments (Rs91.9 billion), bed wear (Rs69.7 billion), and rice (Rs56.0 billion). Other significant exports included cotton cloth (Rs41.5 billion), towels (Rs27.2 billion), and basmati rice (Rs24.7 billion).

On the import side, the main commodities were petroleum products (Rs130.4 billion), crude oil (Rs123.8 billion), and palm oil (Rs102.3 billion). Electrical machinery, natural gas (LNG), iron and steel, plastic materials, mobile phones, and raw cotton were also among the key imports.

These figures paint a picture of a mixed trade performance for Pakistan, with overall growth in both exports and imports over the eight-month period but a notable decline in trade activity during February.

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