By Moaaz Manzoor

Pakistan’s petroleum exports declined sharply in March 2026 on a month-on-month basis, while the other manufacturer group exports showed a mixed trend, according to the data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) available with Wealth Pakistan.

In March 2026, exports from the petroleum group and coal stood at $24.75 million, compared to $44.60 million in February, reflecting a 44.51% decline month-on-month. On a yearly basis, exports also fell significantly from $67.94 million in March 2025, showing a 63.57% decrease.

Within the petroleum group, petroleum products (excluding top naphtha) declined to $19.05 million, down 57.30% over February 2026 and 68.67% compared to last year.

In contrast, petroleum top naphtha exports rose to $5.71 million in March from zero in February. However, they were still down 20.25% from$7.16 million in March last year.

No exports were recorded under petroleum crude during March and February 2026.

Exports from the other manufacturers group stood at $320.596 million in March 2026, slightly down from $322.398 million in February, showing a 0.56% decline month-on-month. Compared to $348.47 million in March 2025, exports fell 8.00% year-on-year.

Within this category, sports goods exports increased to $36.38 million in March 2026, up 9.42% over February and 10.90% higher than in March last year.

Among this category, football exports rose to $22.239 million, showing a 11.21% monthly increase, while gloves exports increased to $5.467 million, up 20.34% over February.

In contrast, carpets, rugs and mats exports declined to $2.90 million, down 24% month-on-month and 28.94% compared to March last year.

The leather sector also showed a mixed performance, with leather tanned exports standing at $11.29 million, increasing 25.43% over February, and declining by 10.21% compared to March last year.

On a cumulative basis, exports from the petroleum group and coal during July–March FY2025-26 were recorded at $585.65 million, compared to $426.09 million in the same period last year, reflecting a 37.45% increase.

Similarly, exports from the other manufacturer group stood at $3.025 billion during the nine-month period (July-March 2025-26) compared to $3.182 billion in the corresponding period last year, showing a 4.93% decline.

At the aggregate level, Pakistan’s total exports stood at $2.275 billion in March 2026, compared to $2.276 billion in February and $2.645 billion in March 2025.

Cumulative exports for July–March FY2025-26 were recorded at $22.742 billion, down from $24.718 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Credit: INP-WealthPk