ISLAMABAD: Exports of Pakistan’s non-textile goods dropped 16.6% to $8.25 billion in the first eight months of FY26, down from $9.89 billion in the same period last year, as shipments of agricultural produce and value-added products faced sharp declines.
The downturn highlights mounting pressures on key sectors, particularly agriculture, where lower volumes and weakening global demand have hurt earnings. By contrast, only modest gains were seen in leather, footwear, and engineering products, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The agriculture sector was the hardest hit, with export earnings tumbling 34.4% to $3.39 billion from $5.17 billion a year earlier. The drop in both value and volume of farm commodities reflects falling international prices and softening demand in major markets.
Non-agricultural exports, however, recorded a modest 2.96% increase, rising to $4.86 billion from $4.72 billion. Within this segment, engineering goods posted a 5.05% gain, led by higher shipments of industrial machinery, transport equipment, electric fans, auto parts, and rubber tyres.
Cement exports also showed resilience, with value up 10.03% year-on-year during July–February FY26, though quantity dipped slightly by 0.59%.
Footwear exports were mixed. Overall shipments rose 4.23%, driven by a 29.72% surge in “other footwear,” which helped offset declines in traditional categories. Leather footwear fell 1.50%, while canvas footwear exports dropped sharply by 50.15%.
The leather manufacturing sector saw a marginal decline of 0.04%, mainly due to a 6.14% fall in leather gloves. Leather garments grew 7.51%, and other leather goods rose 6.50%. Exports of raw leather continued to weaken, falling 5.92%.
Pakistan’s surgical instruments sector remained under pressure, recording a 1.12% decline as international brands re-marketed products in Western countries.
Traditional handicrafts were also hit, with carpets and rugs down 11.20%. In contrast, the sports goods industry performed strongly, with exports up 13.26%, led by an 18.98% increase in football shipments.
Exports of gur products fell 24.15% due to the closure of the Torkham border. Jewellery exports declined 52.70%, molasses by 75.60%, handicrafts by 69.41%, and furniture by 0.30%. Gems, however, saw a notable rise of 83.42% compared with the previous year.
