By Moaaz Manzoor

Pakistan’s textile and apparel exports have shown significant fluctuations over the past five years, and the sector has yet to fully regain its earlier peak levels, as per the Pakistan Textile Council’s monthly export analysis report available with Wealth Pakistan. The data shows that textile exports were recorded at $14,360 million in 2021–22, before declining to $12,644 million in 2022–23 and further to $12,463 million in 2023–24. Following this downward trend, exports recovered to $13,652 million in 2024–25.

However, in the current fiscal period (July–March FY26), exports stood at $13,583 million, reflecting a marginal decline of 0.5%. The figures indicate that while the sector experienced a recovery phase after earlier declines, export growth recovery remains partial and remains subject to fluctuations.

A breakdown of export categories shows differing trends within the sector. Value-added segments, including apparel and made-up articles, have demonstrated relatively stable performance, while traditional textile categories have continued to decline over time.

The data also shows that exports under traditional textile segments decreased from $3,322 million in 2021–22 to $2,284 million in FY26, reflecting an overall downward trajectory In contrast, value-added textile exports showed recovery after declining to $9,731 million in 2023–24, rising to $11,201 million in 2024–25 and further to $11,299 million in FY26.

The overall trend highlights variations in Pakistan’s textile export performance over the five-year period, with alternating phases of decline and recovery. The data reflects that while certain segments have supported export performance, the sector as a whole has yet to return to its previous peak levels recorded earlier in the decade.

Credit: INP-WealthPk