Pakistan Exports to North America Surge by 9 Percent

In recent months, Pakistan has seen a notable increase in its merchandise exports to North America, with a growth rate of nearly nine percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year. This positive trend is primarily driven by a significant rise in exports to the United States, which has become a crucial market for Pakistani goods.

According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan, the surge in exports is largely attributed to the textile and clothing sectors. In the previous fiscal year (FY24), Pakistan's exports to North America had faced a decline of 8.42 percent, dropping from $5.93 billion to $5.432 billion. However, the current fiscal year has brought a refreshing change, particularly in exports to the US, which stood at $2.037 billion in the first four months of FY25, marking a growth of 9.39 percent compared to the same period last year.

Despite the overall positive trend, it is important to note that Pakistan's exports to Canada have only seen a modest increase of 2.90 percent, rising to $131.79 million. In FY24, exports to Canada had decreased to $389.164 million from $426.575 million in the previous year, indicating a need for improvement in this market.

On the import side, North America has also shown a significant increase, with imports rising by 28 percent to $819.274 million in the first four months of FY25. The majority of these imports are sourced from the United States, highlighting the strong trade relationship between the two countries.

Furthermore, Pakistan's exports to Latin America have also seen a positive trend, with a 27 percent increase to $19.037 million. In FY24, the export value to this region was $77.822 million, reflecting a substantial growth of 46.59 percent compared to the previous year.

In Central America, exports have remained relatively stable, with a slight decline of 0.092 percent to $60.525 million. Mexico continues to be the primary destination for Pakistani goods in this region, showing a modest growth of 7.38 percent.

When looking at South America, exports have shown a mixed performance. While overall exports to the region increased slightly to $111.714 million, specific countries like Argentina and Brazil have experienced declines. This indicates that while some markets are thriving, others require strategic attention to boost performance.

The rise in Pakistan's exports to North America is a promising development for the country's economy. The growth in the textile and clothing sectors, coupled with the recovery from previous declines, suggests that there is potential for further expansion in these markets. However, it is crucial for Pakistani exporters to continue exploring new opportunities and addressing challenges in other regions, such as Canada and South America, to ensure a balanced and sustainable growth trajectory in international trade.