Pakistan’s exports took a significant hit in April 2025, while imports saw a sharp rise during the same month, according to the latest data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Exports in April amounted to $2.18 billion, a 17.66% decrease from March 2025 and a 7.36% drop from April 2024. This decline highlights a concerning trend, despite some growth in the first ten months of the fiscal year.
From July to April 2024-25, Pakistan’s total exports reached $26.9 billion, marking a 6.40% increase from the previous year. While this shows a slight overall increase, the sharp drop in April signals potential challenges in sustaining export growth.
Key export commodities for April 2025 included knitwear ($93.4 million), readymade garments ($84.97 million), and rice ($45.07 million). Despite these notable exports, the overall decline in the month-to-month figures indicates underlying challenges in global demand and competitiveness.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s imports saw a considerable rise in April 2025, reaching $5.61 billion. This represents a 16.22% increase compared to March 2025 and a 15.79% increase from April 2024. Imports for the first ten months of the fiscal year amounted to $48.29 billion, reflecting a 7.55% rise from the previous year.
The surge in imports is driven by the high demand for energy-related products and machinery, including petroleum crude ($151.47 million) and electrical machinery ($150.2 million).
The increase in imports is particularly concerning as it contributes to Pakistan’s growing trade deficit, which puts additional pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. In particular, the rising import bill for petroleum products, palm oil, and electrical machinery points to continued reliance on foreign goods and energy supplies, which have a significant impact on the national economy.
As the trade deficit widens, the government will need to address these imbalances by boosting exports and managing import growth more effectively. The challenge lies in promoting more sustainable export growth, reducing reliance on imports, and ensuring that the trade balance does not negatively affect Pakistan’s financial stability.