Ayesha Saba

Pakistan’s value-added exports recorded comparatively stronger performance in November FY 2025-26 and during the cumulative July-November FY26 period, even as overall goods exports declined, according to the Monthly Trade Report for November 2025 issued by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

TDAP data show that while Pakistan’s total goods exports fell 15.35% year-on-year to $2.398 billion in November FY26, several value-added export items posted notable growth, contrasting with the broader export contraction.

Among value-added products, women’s or girls’ apparel (HS 6204) recorded one of the strongest performances. Exports of women’s apparel rose to $67 million in November FY26, compared with $40 million in November FY25, reflecting a sharp 69% year-on-year increase, according to TDAP’s commodity-wise export tables.

Another major gainer was undenatured ethyl alcohol (HS 2207). TDAP data show that ethyl alcohol exports in November FY26 stood at $44 million, up from $14 million in November FY25, marking a steep 209% year-on-year increase and ranking among the fastest-growing export items during the month.

The cumulative figures also indicate resilience in selected value-added categories. During July-November FY26, exports of women’s apparel rose to $306 million, compared with $184 million in the same period of FY25, registering a 67% increase over the five months.

Similarly, ethyl alcohol exports during July-November FY26 amounted to $151 million, up from $111 million in July-November FY25, reflecting a 37% year-on-year increase, according to TDAP’s cumulative export data.

The stronger performance of these value-added exports stood in contrast to sharp declines in other segments. TDAP data show that agro and food exports fell 41% year-on-year to $469 million in November FY26, while rice exports declined 58% to $175 million during the month.

Despite gains in selected value-added categories, the overall export outcome remained weak. Cumulatively, Pakistan’s goods exports during July-November FY26 declined 6.39% to $12.84 billion, compared with $13.72 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

According to TDAP, the export figures presented in the Monthly Trade Report are based on provisional data compiled from Weboc, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) and Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL). They are subject to revision following final reconciliation.

Credit: INP-WealthPk