Category-wise, knitwear exports slipped by 2.93 per cent year-on-year to $2,803.30 million during the period under review, while exports of non-knit readymade garments were down 1.71 per cent to $2,125.70 million. 

The value of textile and garment exports from Pakistan decreased by 8.17 per cent in July-January 2023, the first seven months of fiscal 2022-23 (July-June). During this period, Pakistan earned $10.039 billion from textile and apparel exports, compared to $10.933 billion in July-January 2022, as per data released by the country’s ministry of commerce.

As for textiles, cotton yarn exports decreased by 34.66 per cent to $449.42 million, while exports of cotton fabric fell 9.34 per cent to reach $1,225.35 million in July-January 2023. Bedwear exports declined by 14.81 per cent to $1,639.10 million during this period, the data showed. 

On the import front, synthetic fibre imports decreased by 32.40 per cent year-on-year to $301.47 million, while imports of synthetic and artificial silk yarn dropped by 25.44 per cent to $373.94 million during the same period. 

Meanwhile, the value of textile machinery imports by Pakistan in July-January 2023 decreased significantly by 49.01 per cent year-on-year to $257.14 million, showing a drop in new investments. 

In fiscal 2021-22 ended June 30, textile and garment exports from Pakistan increased by 25.53 per cent to $19.329 billion over $15.399 billion in the previous fiscal. In fiscal 2019-20, the exports amounted to $12.526 billion. 

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)