Qudsia Bano

Pakistan’s engineering, manufacturing and other exports declined year-on-year in November FY 2025-26, with export receipts falling to $421 million compared with $461 million in November FY 2024-25, reflecting a 9% contraction, according to the Monthly Trade Report for November 2025 released by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP)

The decline in engineering and manufacturing exports coincided with a broader contraction in Pakistan’s overall goods exports during the month. TDAP data show that total goods exports in November FY26 stood at $2.398 billion, down from $2.833 billion in November FY25, marking a 15.35% year-on-year decrease.

Despite the monthly decline, cumulative figures for the first five months of the fiscal year show a different trend for the sector. Engineering, manufacturing and other exports during July–November FY26 were recorded at $2.404 billion, compared with $2.29 billion in the corresponding period of FY25, reflecting a 5% increase on a cumulative basis.

TDAP’s sector-wise export tables indicate that while engineering and manufacturing exports declined in November, the contraction was smaller compared with the agro and food sector, which fell 41% to $469 million during the same month. Textile and leather exports also posted a decline in November, slipping 3% year-on-year to $1.508 billion.

On a cumulative basis, engineering and manufacturing exports performed more strongly relative to the agro and food segment. Agro and food exports during July–November FY26 declined 33% to $2.20 billion, while textile and leather exports edged up 3% to $8.26 billion, highlighting divergent trends across major export categories.

The November decline in engineering and manufacturing exports contributed to the overall goods trade imbalance during the month. TDAP data show that Pakistan’s goods trade deficit widened to $2.855 billion in November FY26, compared with $2.150 billion in November FY25, representing an increase of 32.79% year-on-year.

Cumulatively, the goods trade deficit during July–November FY26 expanded to $15.469 billion, up from $11.277 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year, reflecting a 37.17% increase, alongside lower export receipts and higher import payments.

Credit: INP-WealthPk