Pakistan's exports rebound in January to over $3 billion, imports fall

Pakistan’s exports rebounded in January 2026 after five months of weak performance, rising 3.73% year on year and surging 34.96% month on month, according to provisional data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

PBS data showed exports in January reached $3.061 billion, crossing the $3 billion mark for the first time, compared with $2.27 billion in December 2025. The improvement was driven by a sharp rise in outbound shipments alongside a decline in imports, resulting in a narrower monthly trade gap.

Imports fell to $5.786 billion in January, down 4.85% from the previous month. As a result, the trade deficit narrowed on a monthly basis, providing temporary relief to the external account.

On a year-on-year basis, exports increased from $2.951 billion in January 2025, while imports declined 1.41% from $5.869 billion. This brought the trade deficit down to $2.725 billion in January 2026, a contraction of 6.61% compared with the same month last year.

Despite the strong monthly performance, cumulative trade figures for the first seven months of FY26 remained under pressure. Exports during July–January totalled $18.195 billion, reflecting a 7.09% decline year on year, while imports rose 9.42% to $40.233 billion.

While January’s data points to a recovery in monthly export momentum and easing import pressure, PBS figures highlight persistent structural challenges in Pakistan’s trade sector, with the broader balance of payments continuing to face strain despite the recent uptick.