Pakistan’s export and import trends and their economic implications

Global goods trade is estimated to have reached approximately US$13.7 trillion in the first half of 2026, up 12.5 percent from the same period in 2025. Services trade grew by 10.5 percent. Together, goods and services added around US$2 trillion to global trade, putting it on course for a record annual value. A significant share of the increase reflects higher prices rather than stronger trade volumes. Disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, together with concerns over energy supplies, raised energy, transport, logistics and production costs. Prices of traded goods were increased by about 3.6 percent in the first quarter and were estimated to have risen by about 5 percent in the second, largely reflecting higher energy and selected commodity prices. In Pakistan, according to the provisional figures compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, exports from our country during June, 2026 amounted to Rs.626,686 million (provisional) as compared to Rs. 749,272 million in May, 2026 and Rs. 701,091 million during June, 2025 showing a fall of 16.36 percent over May, 2026 and of 10.61 percent over June, 2025. In terms of US dollars, the exports in June, 2026 totaled $ 2,252 million (provisional) as against to $ 2,689 million in May, 2026 showing a decline of 16.25 percent over May, 2026 and of 9.08 percent as against to $ 2,477 million in June, 2025. Exports during July – June, 2025 – 2026 totaled Rs.8,454,431 million (provisional) as compared to Rs.8,947,881 million during the corresponding period of last year showing a fall of 5.51 percent. In terms of US dollars, the exports during July – June, 2025 – 2026 totaled $ 30,139 million (provisional) against $ 32,040 million during the corresponding period of last year showing a decline of 5.93 percent. Main commodities of exports during June, 2026 were Knitwear (Rs. 101,348 million), Readymade garments (Rs.87,768 million), Bed wear (Rs. 58,361 million), Rice others (Rs.34,558 million), Cotton cloth (Rs. 31,209 million), Basmati rice (Rs. 24,943 million), Petroleum products (excl top naptha) (Rs.19,526 million), Towels (Rs.18,462 million), Cotton yarn (Rs.17,820 million) and Madeup Articles (Excl. Towels & Bedwears) (Rs. 13,557 million). On the other hand imports into Pakistan during June, 2026 amounted to Rs. 1,932,135 million (provisional) as compared to Rs. 1,530,520 million in May, 2026 and Rs. 1,516,461 million during June, 2025 showing a rise of 26.24 percent over May, 2026 and of 27.41 percent over June, 2025. In terms of US dollars, the imports in June, 2026 totaled $ 6,931 million (provisional) as against to $ 5,454 million in May, 2026 explaining a rise of 27.08 percent over May, 2026 and of 29.33 percent as compared to $ 5,359 million in June, 2025. Imports during July – June, 2025 – 2026 totaled Rs. 19,594,926 million (provisional) as compared to Rs. 18,023,460 million during the corresponding period of last year showing a rise of 8.72 percent. In terms of US dollars, the imports during July – June, 2025 – 2026 totaled $ 69,761 million (provisional) as against $ 64,507 million during the same period of last year showing a rise of 8.14 percent. Main commodities of imports during June, 2026 were Petroleum crude (Rs.230,079 million), Petroleum products (Rs.215,780 million), Electrical machinery & apparatus (Rs. 91,833 million), Plastic materials (Rs.84,087 million), Motor cars (ckd/skd) (Rs.67,203 million), Palm oil (Rs.67,155 million), Iron & steel (Rs.65,886 million), Raw cotton (Rs.61,375 million), Natural gas liquified (Rs.57,117 million) and Iron & steel scrap (Rs.55,565 million).