Textile Exports Up 43% in One Month

Pakistan's textile industry experienced a remarkable 43.13 percent surge in exports to $1.81 billion in July 2026, according to preliminary data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. This impressive start to the fiscal year 2026-27 marked a 43.13 percent increase month-over-month, surpassing the $1.27 billion recorded in June 2026. The sector's performance was 8.07 percent higher compared to July 2025, when exports totaled $1.68 billion. In rupee terms, exports reached Rs. 504.34 billion.

Knitwear stood out as the leading textile export category, with shipments growing by 46.60 percent month-over-month to $533.84 million. This growth was also 4.06 percent higher than the previous year. Readymade garments followed, with exports increasing by 45.87 percent month-over-month to $459.99 million. Overall, readymade garments saw a 15 percent year-over-year growth. Bedwear saw an even stronger performance, with exports rising by 47.13 percent to $308.50 million, representing a 4.16 percent year-over-year increase.

Towels recorded the most significant month-over-month growth among major textile categories, with exports jumping 60.35 percent to $106.36 million. Made-up articles, excluding towels and bedwear, saw a substantial 58.51 percent increase to $77.21 million. Cotton cloth exports grew by 26.27 percent month-over-month to $141.59 million, although they were slightly lower compared to July 2025. Cotton yarn exports increased by 3.91 percent to $66.53 million, marking an 18.69 percent rise compared to the same period last year.

Textile imports, on the other hand, saw a milder 5.37 percent increase month-over-month to $682.21 million, compared to $647.43 million in June 2026. Compared to the same period in 2025, imports were 14.82 percent higher, standing at Rs. 594.17 million in July 2025. Raw cotton imports decreased by 15.37 percent month-over-month to $186.34 million but saw a 30.01 percent increase year-over-year.

Imports of synthetic and artificial silk yarn rose sharply by 43 percent month-over-month to $125.84 million. Imports of worn clothing also increased by 6.30 percent to $62.36 million. Synthetic fiber imports grew by 4.34 percent month-over-month to $72.42 million, but declined by 4.02 percent year-over-year.