Pakistan’s textile industry began the new fiscal year on a strong note, with textile exports reaching $1.81 billion in July 2026, according to provisional data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The latest figures represent a 43.13% increase from June, when textile exports stood at $1.27 billion. Compared with July 2025, exports were also higher by 8.07%, highlighting continued growth in the country’s largest export-oriented sector.
In rupee terms, textile exports amounted to approximately Rs504.34 billion during the month.
Garments and Knitwear Remain Major Export Drivers
Knitwear continued to account for the largest share of Pakistan’s textile exports. Exports of knitwear climbed 46.60% month-on-month to $533.84 million, while recording a more modest 4.06% year-on-year increase.
Readymade garments also delivered a strong performance. Their export value rose 45.87% from the previous month to $459.99 million and was 15% higher than a year earlier. The double-digit annual increase makes garments one of the stronger-performing segments of the textile sector.
Bedwear exports followed a similar trend, reaching $308.50 million, up 47.13% compared with June and 4.16% year-on-year.
Towels and Made-Up Articles Show Strong Momentum
Among the major textile categories, towels recorded the most significant monthly growth. Exports increased 60.35% month-on-month to $106.36 million and were 13.37% higher than in July 2025.
Made-up articles, excluding towels and bedwear, also posted substantial gains. Exports rose 58.51% from June to $77.21 million, representing a 10.56% annual increase.
Meanwhile, cotton cloth exports grew 26.27% month-on-month to $141.59 million. However, they remained almost unchanged on an annual basis, declining slightly by 0.10%.
Cotton yarn exports showed more moderate monthly growth, increasing 3.91% to $66.53 million. On a year-on-year basis, however, cotton yarn exports were up a healthy 18.69%.
Textile Imports Also Increase
The improvement in exports was accompanied by higher textile imports. Pakistan imported $682.21 million worth of textile products in July, compared with $647.43 million in June.
This represents a 5.37% monthly increase and a 14.82% year-on-year rise. In rupee terms, textile imports stood at approximately Rs189.93 billion.
Raw cotton remained one of the largest import categories at $186.34 million. Although raw cotton imports declined 15.37% from June, they were 30.01% higher than a year earlier.
Imports of synthetic and artificial silk yarn recorded particularly strong monthly growth, rising 43% to $125.84 million. They were also 18.42% higher year-on-year.
Worn clothing imports increased to $62.36 million, up 6.30% from June and an impressive 41.44% compared with July 2025.
Synthetic fiber imports reached $72.42 million, representing a 4.34% monthly increase. However, they were 4.02% lower on an annual basis.
A Positive Start for Pakistan’s Textile Sector
July’s figures provide an encouraging start for Pakistan’s textile industry. The strongest growth came from value-added products such as garments, knitwear, towels and made-up articles, rather than being driven solely by raw or semi-processed textile products.
The 8.07% annual increase in total textile exports is particularly important because it indicates that the sector is performing better than it did at the same time last year. Stronger garment and towel exports could also help support foreign-exchange earnings and industrial activity.
However, rising textile imports show that manufacturers are also increasing their purchases of cotton, yarn and other inputs. Whether this translates into sustained export growth will depend on international demand, production costs, energy prices, exchange-rate conditions and the competitiveness of Pakistani manufacturers.
For now, July’s $1.81 billion export figure signals renewed momentum for one of Pakistan’s most important economic sectors. If the pace of demand for value-added textile products continues, the industry could play an even greater role in boosting the country’s exports during the months ahead.