- Global trade recovery and shifting import patterns offer opportunities for Pakistan’s economy
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), imports into Pakistan during January 2026 amounted to Rs 1,629,640 million (provisional), compared with Rs 1,707,035 million in December 2025 and Rs 1,635,355 million in January 2025. This represents a decline of 4.53 percent over December 2025 and a marginal decrease of 0.35 percent compared with January 2025. In US dollar terms, imports in January 2026 totalled $5,813 million (provisional), down from $6,081 million in December 2025, a drop of 4.41 percent, and slightly lower than $5,869 million recorded in January 2025, reflecting a decline of 0.95 percent.
PBS also reported that cumulative imports during July-January 2025-26 reached Rs 11,345,029 million (provisional), up 10.89 percent from Rs 10,230,768 million during the same period last year. In US dollar terms, imports for the same period totalled $40,260 million, up 9.49 percent from $36,771 million last year.
In January 2026, the leading commodities imported into Pakistan included petroleum crude (Rs 109,678 million), palm oil (Rs 102,871 million), petroleum products (Rs 85,740 million), plastic materials (Rs 76,775 million), iron and steel (Rs 74,944 million), liquified natural gas (LNG) (Rs 74,841 million), electrical machinery (Rs 59,963 million), iron and steel scrap (Rs 56,188 million), mobile phones (Rs 50,287 million), and motor cars (CKD/SKD) (Rs 45,498 million). The provisional trade balance for January 2026 showed a deficit of Rs 774,095 million, equivalent to $2,757 million. The cumulative trade deficit from July-January 2025-26 stood at Rs 6,224,066 million or $22,070 million.
| Pakistan Imports | ||
|---|---|---|
| Commodities | %Change for value in million Rupees in January,2026 over | |
| Dec, 2025 | Jan,2026 | |
| Petroleum crude | -27.42 | -9.63 |
| Palm oil | 19.78 | 7.09 |
| Petroleum products | -52.27 | -40.72 |
| Plastic materials | 4.23 | 9.95 |
| Iron and steel | 22.82 | 20.87 |
| Natural gas, liquified (LNG) | -3.47 | -14.27 |
| Electrical machinery & apparatus | 30.87 | -31.26 |
| Iron and steel scrap | 2.02 | 19.11 |
| Mobile phones | 12.45 | 34.44 |
| Motor cars (ckd/skd) | -8.40 | 105.45 |
Imports in the world
On the global stage, international experts predict a moderate recovery in 2026 following a sluggish 2025. World merchandise trade is expected to rise by 2.5 percent, rebounding from a 0.2 percent decline in 2025 caused by trade uncertainties and tariffs. Commercial services trade is projected to grow by 4.1 percent in 2026.
Key observations include:
Top Importers: The United States, China, and Germany remain the largest global importers, driven by manufacturing needs and consumer demand.
Shifting Dynamics: US imports from China are expected to decline in textiles and electronics, creating new opportunities for developing nations.
Regional Contributions: While North America contributed negatively to global trade growth in 2025, Asia and Europe are expected to continue positive growth in 2026.
These trends highlight the critical role of imports in sustaining Pakistan’s industrial, energy, and consumer sectors while linking the country to global trade recovery and shifting dynamics.