ISLAMABAD: Exports from Pakistan in rupee terms witnessed a substantial increase of 29.07 percent during the first ten months of the current fiscal year, compared to the same period last year, according to the latest report from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). From July to April of FY24, exports totaled Rs. 7,172,151 million, up from Rs. 5,556,750 million in the corresponding period of FY23, based on PBS provisional figures.
However, exports for April 2024 showed a mixed trend. They amounted to Rs. 654,226 million, reflecting an 8.56% decrease from March 2024’s Rs. 715,458 million. Nevertheless, on a year-on-year basis, April 2024 exports increased by 7.56% compared to Rs. 608,239 million in April 2023.
Key Export Commodities for April 2024:
- Knitwear: Rs. 90,772 million
- Readymade Garments: Rs. 81,020 million
- Rice (Others): Rs. 76,438 million
- Bed Wear: Rs. 56,332 million
- Cotton Cloth: Rs. 37,556 million
- Towels: Rs. 22,459 million
- Rice (Basmati): Rs. 21,378 million
- Cotton Yarn: Rs. 15,052 million
- Made-up Articles (Excluding Towels & Bedwear): Rs. 14,843 million
- Fish and Fish Preparations: Rs. 12,123 million
Import Trends: Imports during the July-April period of FY24 amounted to Rs. 12,737,458 million, marking a 15.34% increase from Rs. 11,043,857 million in the same period last year. For April 2024, imports stood at Rs. 1,353,042 million, showing a negligible decrease from Rs. 1,353,085 million in March 2024, but a significant 59.28% increase compared to Rs. 849,474 million in April 2023.
Key Import Commodities for April 2024:
- Petroleum Products: Rs. 187,277 million
- Petroleum Crude: Rs. 161,733 million
- Electric Machinery & Apparatus: Rs. 135,222 million
- Natural Gas, Liquefied: Rs. 95,650 million
- Palm Oil: Rs. 60,107 million
- Iron & Steel: Rs. 53,175 million
- Plastic Materials: Rs. 47,458 million
- Mobile Phones: Rs. 44,890 million
- Iron and Steel Scrap: Rs. 23,099 million
- Medicinal Products: Rs. 22,511 million
Summary: The PBS data highlights a robust growth in Pakistan’s exports in rupee terms for the first ten months of FY24, driven by key commodities like knitwear, garments, and rice. Conversely, imports have also increased, albeit at a slower rate, with significant contributions from petroleum products and machinery.
