KARACHI – Pakistan’s textile industry is showing signs of revival, posting a sharp 33.7% year-on-year increase in exports for July 2025, according to fresh data released by the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA).
The sector exported goods worth $1.69 billion in the first month of FY 2025-26, significantly higher than the $1.27 billion recorded in July 2024. This marks a welcome bounce for an industry that has faced sluggish performance in recent years due to high production costs, energy shortages, and a volatile global market.
Historical Trends Reveal Sector Volatility
APTMA’s data provides a clear picture of the textile sector’s inconsistent trajectory over the past four years:
- July 2021-22: $1.47 billion
- July 2022-23: $1.48 billion
- July 2023-24: $1.31 billion
- July 2024-25: $1.27 billion
After peaking in mid-2022, exports took a dip over the next two fiscal years before making a strong comeback this July.
Full-Year Exports Plateau Despite Monthly Surge
Despite July’s impressive growth, annual figures have been largely stagnant. Pakistan’s textile exports totaled:
- $19.30 billion in FY 2022
- $16.51 billion in FY 2023
- $16.68 billion in both FY 2024 and FY 2025
While the recent monthly uptick is promising, it may take sustained growth in the coming quarters to lift full-year numbers above the current plateau.
What’s Behind the Rebound?
Industry insiders attribute the July spike to improved global demand, timely government policy adjustments, and increased competitiveness following currency stabilization. However, sustaining this momentum will depend heavily on addressing chronic structural issues — particularly high energy tariffs and inconsistent policy support.
