By Moaaz Manzoor

Pakistan’s textile exports in March 2026 showed a mixed trend, posting a modest month-on-month increase but declining yearly, while remaining largely stable over the nine-month period, according to the data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) available with Wealth Pakistan.

In March 2026, textile exports stood at $1.329 billion, compared to $1.311 billion in February, reflecting a 1.36% increase month-on-month. However, exports declined 7.33% year-on-year from $1.430 billion in March 2025.

Within the textile group, knitwear remained the largest export segment, with shipments valued at $330.83 million, up 5.88% over February, but down 14.27% compared to last year.

Bedwear exports rose to $239.87 million, a 8.59% icrease from the previous month, though still 6.21% lower than a year earlier.

Similarly, cotton cloth exports increased to $143.95 million, up 8.62% over February, but slightly lower by 1.42% compared to March last year.

In contrast, readymade garments declined to $301.37 million, falling 7.92% month-on-month and 6.18% year-on-year, indicating continued weakness in this segment.

Among other components, towel exports rose to $90.52 million, up 11.18% over February and 1.26% higher than in March last year.

Meanwhile, cotton yarn exports dropped to $61.45 million, down 16.79% month-on-month, although still 8.32% higher in March last year.

Art, silk, and synthetic textile exports stood at $22.59 million, declining 9.30% over February and 31.73% in March last year, while made-up articles (excluding towels and bedwear) increased slightly to $63.19 million, showing 6.12% monthly growth but down 2.55% compared to March last year.

On a cumulative basis, textile exports during July–March FY2025-26 were recorded at $13.545 billion, compared to $13.614 billion in the same period last year, reflecting a marginal decline of 0.50%.

At the overall 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