Pakistan's exports grow by 4.45pc in FY2024-25

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan’s exports saw a modest growth of 4.45 percent during the fiscal year 2024-25, as per the latest report released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

However, the food group exports took a hit, witnessing a decline of 3.44 percent, raising concerns among analysts.

According to the data, exports of food items – including rice, fruits, lentils and other edibles – dropped by over $250 million compared to FY2023-24. In contrast, food imports shot up by a similar amount, putting pressure on the trade balance.

During the same period, Pakistan imported $3.39 billion worth of palm oil, $630 million in tea, and $220 million worth of spices.

One bright spot in the report was the textile group, which performed well, with exports rising by 7.3 percent, showing an increase of $1.13 billion compared to the previous fiscal year.

However, textile imports also went up by a whopping 54 per cent, reaching $4.2 billion, which could eat into the net gains.

The manufacturing group presented a mixed picture. Exports of football and other sports goods went down, while leather product exports went up by 4.87 percent, offering some hope to this sector.

Also read: Pakistan food exports rise to $5.75bn in nine months

Overall, imports climbed by 6.58 percent, hitting $58.38 billion. The machinery group’s imports rose by 13.37 percent, while transport imports surged by 32.68 percent.

Notably, imports of heavy vehicles (trucks, buses, etc.) spiked by 52 percent.

On the flip side, only the petroleum group showed a decline, with imports falling by 5.76 percent, offering a bit of relief in an otherwise rising import trend.