By Moaaz Manzoor

Pakistan’s textile and apparel sector remained the backbone of the country’s export economy during July–January FY26, contributing $10.93 billion and accounting for approximately 60% of total national exports during the period, according to the Monthly Report of Pakistan’s Textile & Apparel Exports prepared by the Pakistan Textile Council (PTC)

Pakistan’s overall exports stood at $18.19 billion in the first seven months of FY26. Of this amount, textile and apparel exports (covering Chapters 50–63) made up $10.93 billion, reflecting a 1% increase compared to $10.80 billion recorded in the same period of FY25.

While national exports posted a 7% decline during July–January FY26, the textile and apparel sector demonstrated resilience by maintaining modest year-on-year growth. This performance reinforced the sector’s position as the country’s largest export contributor and primary source of foreign exchange earnings.

In January 2026 alone, textile and apparel exports were recorded at $1.74 billion. This marked a 3% increase compared to $1.69 billion in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, exports surged by 28% from $1.36 billion in December 2025 to $1.74 billion in January 2026.

The month of January thus showed a significant recovery in export activity, with textile exports increasing by approximately $380 million over December and by around $50 million compared to the same month last year.

The report also provides a five-year trend analysis for the July–January period. Textile and apparel exports stood at $11,027 million in 2021–22 before declining to $10,160 million in 2022–23 and further to $9,752 million in 2023–24, reflecting a period of contraction.

However, the sector subsequently rebounded, with exports rising to $10,800 million in 2024–25 and further increasing to $10,933 million in 2025–26. This marks two consecutive years of recovery following the earlier downturn.

The July–January FY26 figure of $10.93 billion represents the highest export level recorded over the past two fiscal years for the corresponding period, underscoring renewed momentum in value-added textile and apparel segments.

The report notes that textile exports comprise both traditional textiles (Chapters 50–60) and value-added apparel and made-up articles (Chapters 61–63). Together, these segments form the largest component of Pakistan’s export basket and remain central to industrial output, employment generation, and foreign exchange inflows.

According to the report, the figures are based on calculations using data sourced from the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The data underscores the continued dominance of the textile and apparel sector, which contributed nearly three-fifths of total export earnings during July–January FY26, reaffirming its strategic importance to Pakistan’s external sector performance.

Credit: INP-WealthPk