ISLAMABAD: Exports of non-textile products grew by 12.83 percent to $7.56 billion in the first half of the current fiscal year, from $6.70 billion in the same period last year, mainly driven by increased demand for value-added products. are driven.
According to data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, leather, footwear and engineering goods contributed significantly to export growth during 6MFY25 from a year ago.
Non-textile product exports rose 24.95pc to Rs 14.02bn in FY24. Exports of non-textile items continued to increase in the current financial year, building on last year’s momentum.
Exports of engineering goods grew by 28.11pc in 6MFY25 from a year ago. In the engineering sector, this growth was recorded in exports of industrial machinery, transport equipment, auto parts and rubber tyres.
Value-added leather and engineering goods make significant contributions
At the same time, a growth of 33.82pc was recorded in the volume of cement exports during the first half of the current fiscal from a year ago. Export value of cement increased by 23.2pc during 6MFY25.
Similarly, footwear exports grew by 18.38pc, followed by canvas footwear (22.31pc) and other footwear (16.18pc). Exports of leather makeup grew by 6.88pc, mainly driven by a 17.88pc increase in demand for leather gloves during the first half of FY25.
A decline was also seen in leather clothing. Export of raw leather increased by 0.73pc during the period under review.
Pakistan is one of the leading suppliers of global surgical instruments. However, the export value of these devices remained negligible as well-known brands in Western countries remarketed them. This increased to 1.51pc during the first half of 2024-25.
However, exports of carpets and rugs declined by 7.41pc, sports goods by 1.57pc and GUR products (which are not classified under food category) by 32.51pc in 6MFY25 from a year ago.
Jewelery exports grew by 71.78pc in 6MFY25, followed by jaggery and handicrafts by 45.38pc to 102.78pc. However, exports of furniture declined by 16.89pc and jewelery by 28.51pc.
Petroleum crude exports recorded a positive growth of 100pc in 6MFY25 from a year ago, while foreign shipments of petroleum products increased by 123.79pc.
According to PBS data, raw food exports grew by 13.83pc in 6MFY25 over the previous fiscal year. The value of raw food exports reached 93.96bn in 6MFY25, up from 473.47bn during the same period last year.
Published in Dawn, January 26, 2025
