Large-scale manufacturing grows 6.48% in July-March on automobile, food output

Pakistan’s large-scale manufacturing sector expanded 6.48% during July-March of fiscal year 2025-26 compared to the same period last year, supported by higher output in automobiles, garments, food products and petroleum products, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. 

The sector recorded year-on-year growth of 11.09% in March 2026, although production declined 5.2% compared to February 2026.

During the first nine months of FY26, production increased in food, beverages and tobacco, textiles and apparel, paper and board, coke and petroleum products, rubber products, non-metallic minerals, fabricated metals, computers and electronics, electrical equipment, automobiles and other transport equipment.

However, output declined in leather products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel products, machinery and equipment.

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the overall growth was mainly supported by food, garments, petroleum products, cement, tobacco and textile-related sectors.

In March 2026, automobile production increased 61.35% year-on-year, while output of other transport equipment rose 38.4%.

Food production increased 53.7%, tobacco output rose 37.3%, beverages grew 7.8% and garments posted growth of 1.8% compared to the same month last year.

Electrical equipment output increased 26.36%, furniture production rose 90.7% and machinery and equipment output climbed 140.6% during the month under review.

Rubber products recorded growth of 22.6%, while coke and petroleum products increased 3.4% year-on-year.

On the other hand, textile production contracted 3.34% in March, while leather products declined 4.9% and football production fell 13.4%.

Chemical products posted a decline of 4.4%, fertiliser production fell 7.55% and pharmaceutical output contracted 7.7%.

The data also showed iron and steel production declining 11.5%, cement output falling 6.6%, non-metallic minerals decreasing 7.1% and fabricated metals contracting 11.6%.

Large-scale manufacturing contributes around 8% to Pakistan’s gross domestic product and has remained under pressure in recent years due to import restrictions, currency depreciation, high interest rates and energy shortages linked to reforms under International Monetary Fund-supported programmes.