Exports fall 7.14% in 9MFY26

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s goods exports stood at Rs6,393 billion during the first three quarters of the current fiscal year 2025-26, marking a 7.14% decline from Rs6,884 billion recorded in the same period last year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

As per details, exports in March 2026 were recorded at Rs635.5 billion. This was 0.17% lower than the previous month and 14.21% below the level seen in March 2025.

The main export items in March 2026 included knitwear at Rs92.4 billion, readymade garments at Rs84.1 billion, bed wear at Rs67 billion, rice (other) at Rs43.1 billion, cotton cloth at Rs40.2 billion, towels at Rs25.3 billion, made-up articles excluding towels and bed wear at Rs17.6 billion, cotton yarn at Rs17.2 billion, fish and fish preparations at Rs14.8 billion, and basmati rice at Rs13.4 billion.

Imports rise during July-March

PBS data showed that imports during July-March reached Rs14,254 billion, up 7.98% from Rs13,200 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

In March alone, imports were recorded at Rs1,430 billion, showing a 3.44% decrease compared with February.

The overall machinery group posted a 10.28% increase in imports during the nine-month period. This reflected improved investor confidence and policy continuity.

Among machinery categories, agricultural machinery imports rose 18.69% to $102 million, textile machinery imports increased 20.94% to $449 million, and power-generating machinery imports climbed 16.20% to $632 million.

Construction and mining machinery imports registered a sharp 72.62% increase to $177 million, while office machinery imports went up 38.86% to $520 million.

Sports goods exports post growth

Pakistan’s sports goods exports increased by 12.99% during July-March, reaching $319 million compared with $282 million in the same period last year.

Within the sector, football exports rose 17.81% to $197 million. Gloves exports, however, declined 6.86% to $44.8 million, while exports of other sports goods surged 15.20% to $76.9 million.

On a month-on-month basis, sports goods exports in March rose 9.42% from February and were also 10.90% higher than in March 2025.

Football exports increased 9.36% during the month, while gloves exports posted a 14.27% rise.