Pakistan’s textile industry, a key pillar of the national economy, experienced a slowdown in November 2025, affecting overall export growth for the first five months of the current fiscal year. Latest data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics shows that while exports remain slightly higher than last year, the momentum seen earlier in the year weakened as November figures came in lower than expected.
November Pulls Down Overall Performance
Textile export earnings fell sharply during November, declining by 12 percent compared to October. On a year-on-year basis, exports were also lower, registering a 2.57 percent decrease compared to November last year. Export receipts for the month stood at $1.42 billion, down from $1.62 billion in October and $1.46 billion in November 2024.
As a result of this decline, growth in textile exports for July to November FY2025-26 slowed to 2.73 percent. Even so, cumulative exports reached $7.82 billion, slightly higher than the $7.61 billion recorded during the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Value-Added Segments Show Resilience
Despite the overall slowdown, several value-added textile categories continued to perform relatively well. Knitwear exports posted an increase of nearly 6 percent, climbing to $2.30 billion. Bedwear shipments also showed steady progress, rising 5 percent to $1.39 billion, while readymade garments grew by 6 percent, reaching $1.79 billion during the five-month period.
These figures suggest that while overall demand may be under pressure, international buyers continue to show interest in Pakistan’s finished textile products.
Broader Export Picture Raises Concerns
The decline in textile exports comes at a time when Pakistan’s overall export performance is already facing challenges. Total exports during the first five months of FY26 dropped by over 6 percent, falling to $12.87 billion from $13.72 billion a year earlier. Given that textiles contribute a major share of export earnings, any slowdown in the sector has wider implications for foreign exchange inflows.
Global economic uncertainty, weaker demand in key markets, and rising production costs have all added pressure on exporters.
What Lies Ahead?
Industry observers believe that stabilizing textile exports will require a mix of supportive government policies, improved manufacturing efficiency, and expanded access to international markets. Addressing energy costs, ensuring policy consistency, and investing in technology could help exporters regain momentum in the coming months.
As Pakistan moves deeper into the fiscal year, the performance of the textile sector will remain crucial in determining whether export growth can recover or continue to face headwinds.