Pakistan’s trade widens more than 18% to $35 billion in 11 months

Pakistan’s trade deficit narrowed by 6.9% year-on-year to $2.786 billion in May 2026, but the cumulative gap during the first 11 months of the fiscal year widened by 18.2% to nearly $35 billion, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) released on Wednesday.

The monthly deficit was lower than the $2.991 billion recorded in May 2025. It also declined 34.6% from $4.263 billion in April 2026 as imports fell sharply on a month-on-month basis.

Exports increased by 0.7% year-on-year to $2.690 billion in May from $2.671 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year. Compared with April, exports rose 9% from $2.468 billion.

Imports declined by 3.3% year-on-year to $5.475 billion from $5.662 billion. On a monthly basis, the import bill fell 18.7% from $6.731 billion recorded in April.

Despite the improvement in May, Pakistan’s trade deficit during July-May 2025-26 increased to $34.963 billion from $29.585 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

The wider cumulative deficit reflected a 5.7% decline in exports and a 6.3% increase in imports.

Exports during the first 11 months fell to $27.888 billion from $29.563 billion, while imports increased to $62.851 billion from $59.148 billion.

Textiles remained the largest export category in May, with shipments rising 7% year-on-year to $1.640 billion. Textile exports also increased 11% from $1.480 billion in April.

During the first 11 months, textile exports grew 1.8% to $16.666 billion from $16.365 billion.

Knitwear exports rose 2% year-on-year to $446 million in May, while ready-made garment exports increased 11% to $414 million. Other textile products generated $780 million, up 8%.

Cumulative knitwear exports increased 1% to $4.602 billion, while ready-made garments rose 5% to $3.973 billion. Other textile exports increased 1% to $8.090 billion.

Food exports, however, fell 30% year-on-year to $408 million in May from $585 million. During July-May, food exports declined 32% to $4.599 billion from $6.749 billion.

Exports of petroleum products and coal increased 175% to $54 million during May. Petroleum product exports alone rose 255% year-on-year to $54 million.

During the first 11 months, petroleum and coal exports increased 39% to $709 million, including petroleum product shipments of $648 million, up 52%.

Exports from the Other Manufacture Group rose 6% year-on-year to $387 million in May but declined 3% to $3.752 billion during the 11-month period.

Chemicals and pharmaceutical exports increased 10% to $138 million during May, although cumulative exports in the category fell 13% to $1.265 billion.

Exports classified under all other categories increased 17% to $201 million in May and rose 4% to $2.164 billion during July-May.

On the import side, petroleum remained the largest category, increasing 8% year-on-year to $1.436 billion in May. However, petroleum imports declined 37% from $2.271 billion in April.

Cumulative petroleum imports increased 2% to $14.953 billion from $14.632 billion.

Machinery imports declined 2% year-on-year to $948 million in May but rose 7% to $9.898 billion during the first 11 months.

Transport imports increased 25% to $338 million during May. Over the 11-month period, transport imports surged 68% to $3.591 billion from $2.138 billion.

Food imports declined 15% year-on-year to $655 million in May but increased 11% to $8.504 billion during July-May.

Imports of agriculture-related products and other chemicals fell 5% to $749 million during May but rose 5% to $9.336 billion over the 11-month period.

Textile imports declined 22% year-on-year to $473 million in May and fell 14% to $5.815 billion during July-May.

Metal imports dropped 14% to $431 million in May, although cumulative imports increased 8% to $5.699 billion.

Imports under miscellaneous categories declined 1% to $83 million in May and rose 9% to $1.062 billion during the first 11 months.

All other imports increased 6% year-on-year to $362 million in May and rose 11% to $3.992 billion during July-May.