By Moaaz Manzoor

Pakistan’s petroleum group exports recorded strong growth during July–February FY2025-26, rising 56.61% to $560.89 million. In contrast, exports under the other manufactures group declined by 4.55% to $2.70 billion, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce.

The data shows that the petroleum group increased its share in overall exports to 2.74% from 1.62% a year earlier. The rise was driven mainly by petroleum products excluding top naphtha, which increased to $505.76 million from $304.08 million, marking a growth of 66.33%. Petroleum top naphtha also recorded an increase of 20.01% to $35.22 million.

Petroleum crude exports declined by 19.45% to $19.91 million, while solid fuels (coal) remained at zero in both comparative periods. Despite these declines, the increase in refined petroleum products supported overall growth in the petroleum group.

Exports under the other manufactures group declined to $2.70 billion from $2.83 billion, although the group’s share in total exports rose slightly to 13.21% from 12.83%.

Within this category, performance varied across segments. Sports goods exports increased to $282.69 million from $249.59 million, reflecting a rise of 13.26%. Within this segment, football exports grew by 18.98% to $175.09 million, while gloves exports declined by 9.19% to $39.38 million.

Footwear exports rose by 4.23% to $131.75 million. The increase was led by other footwear, which grew by 29.72% to $34.12 million, while leather footwear declined by 1.50% and canvas footwear recorded a sharp decrease.

Carpets, rugs and mats exports fell by 11.20% to $33.79 million, while cutlery exports declined by 8.79% to $37.57 million. Leather tanned exports decreased by 5.92% to $84.78 million, while leather manufactures remained largely unchanged at $396.80 million, showing a marginal decline of 0.04%.

Chemicals and pharmaceutical products exports declined by 16.12% to $888.50 million from $1.06 billion. Within this segment, plastic materials exports fell by 31.99% to $221.62 million, while pharmaceutical products declined by 27.67% to $230.90 million.

Overall, the data shows variations across non-textile export categories during the period, with increases in some segments and declines in others.

Credit: INP-WealthPk