Pakistan’s textile exports recorded a modest 7.39% increase to $17.88 billion in FY2025, up from $16.65 billion the previous year, according to official data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Despite being the second-best performance in five years, the growth falls short of the record 25.5% surge in FY2022, signaling persistent structural challenges in the sector.
While textiles remain the backbone of Pakistan’s exports, industry experts caution that over-reliance on government subsidies, limited product innovation, and a lack of market diversification continue to restrict sustainable growth.
Textile Export Performance by Category
- Key contributors to the sector’s growth included:
- Knitwear: up 13.68% to $5.01 billion
- Readymade garments: up 15.85% to $4.128 billion
- Bedwear: up 11.1% to $3.11 billion
- Towels: up 2.6% to $1.08 billion
However, traditional textile categories lagged:
- Cotton cloth exports: down 3.05% to $1.81 billion
- Cotton yarn: plummeted 28.76% to $680.7 million
In June 2025, textile exports stood at $1.52 billion, marking a 7.59% increase compared to June 2024.
Broader Export Trends
Outside textiles, Pakistan’s food exports dropped 3.4% to $7.11 billion. Notably:
- Rice exports: down 14.7% to $3.35 billion
- Meat: down 3.2% to $495 million
- Fruits: down 10.3% to $308 million
- Vegetables: down 14.5% to $367.6 million
Conversely,
- Fish and seafood: up 13.4% to $465 million
- Sugar exports: soared 1,851% to $411.1 million
Other sectors showed mixed results:
- Sports goods: down 2.74% to $385.5 million
- Surgical instruments: up 1.6% to $451.7 million
- Cement exports: surged 23.7% to $329.8 million
- Pharmaceutical exports: up 34% to $457.4 million
Import Dynamics
On the import side, Pakistan’s petroleum imports fell 5.76% to $15.93 billion, while machinery imports grew 13.37% to $9.63 billion, led by:
- Textile machinery: up 61.5% to $241.2 million
- Power generation equipment: up 47.8% to $616.2 million
However, the transport sector imports rose sharply by 32.7% to $2.44 billion, with notable increases in CKD/SKD vehicle imports, especially luxury cars, raising concerns over foreign exchange depletion.
Outlook
While textile exports remain pivotal, Pakistan’s growth is hampered by outdated industrial practices and a heavy focus on low-value segments. Analysts stress the need for product diversification, innovation, and new market exploration to achieve sustainable growth and strengthen the country’s export resilience.
