Ayesha Saba

Pakistan’s import bill recorded notable shifts during December 2025 and the first half of the ongoing fiscal year, with China, the Americas, and Brazil specifically emerging as the major contributors to rising import payments, according to the Monthly Trade Report released by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

TDAP’s country-wise import data shows that imports from China increased by 18 percent year-on-year in December, reaching $1.737 billion, compared to the same month last year. China remained Pakistan’s largest source of imports during the month, accounting for a significant share of total import payments.

The report further indicates a sharp rise in imports from the Americas during December. According to TDAP figures, Pakistan’s imports from the Americas increased by 78 percent year-on-year in December, reflecting higher inflows from the region compared to December of the previous year. Within the Americas, the United States recorded a particularly large increase, with imports rising by 163 percent to $358 million during the month.

Cumulative data for the first half of FY26 (July–December) highlights further changes in Pakistan’s import sourcing patterns. TDAP data shows that imports from Brazil surged by 204 percent during July–December FY26, compared with the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Brazil emerged as one of the fastest-growing sources of Pakistan’s imports during the period under review.

The report also shows increased imports from several East Asian economies during the first half of the fiscal year. Imports from South Korea and Thailand recorded notable growth during July–December FY26, adding to the overall rise in Pakistan’s import payments over the six-month period.

Overall, Pakistan’s total imports stood at $6.022 billion in December, while cumulative imports during July–December FY26 reached $34.394 billion, according to TDAP figures. The cumulative import bill represented an 11 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year, when imports amounted to $30.913 billion.

TDAP’s country-wise tables show that the increase in imports during the first half of FY26 was spread across multiple trading partners, with higher inflows recorded from both traditional and non-traditional sources. The data reflects variations in import growth rates across countries, contributing to the overall increase in the import bill.

The Monthly Trade Report provides detailed comparative data on Pakistan’s imports by country, outlining monthly and cumulative values alongside year-on-year growth rates. These tables illustrate how changes in import volumes from China, the Americas, Brazil, and other countries shaped Pakistan’s import profile during December 2025 and the first half of FY26.

According to the document, while monthly imports declined slightly compared to November 2025, cumulative figures for July–December FY26 remained significantly higher than last year’s levels. The TDAP report presents these movements as part of the broader trade landscape for the ongoing fiscal year, supported by detailed country-wise import statistics.

Credit: INP-WealthPk