Pakistani textile and apparel imports shined in April

Pakistani knitwear and home textile exports grew rapidly

According to the latest data, Pakistani textile and apparel export in April accounted for 1.347 billion USD, up 231.2% year-on-year but down 1.3% month-on-month, and rose by 17.4% compared with that in same period of 2019, indicating that Pakistani textile and apparel export in April has recovered to the level of the same period before the outbreak of pandemic.  

Pakistani knitwear, bedding and towel export volume rose by 238.2%, 181.9% and 308.4% respectively compared with the same period of last year. Compared with the same period of 2019, the export volume increased by 36.5%, 24.7% and 12.9% respectively, indicating that the above three have recovered to the pre-pandemic level, and even achieved double-digit rises. In addition, the export volume of Pakistani apparel, cotton yarn and cotton fabric was not as good as that of knitted fabrics and home textile products. Although there was still a good growth (except for cotton fabric) in the context of low base last year, compared with the same period in 2019, it declined in varying degrees, down by 18.4%, 17.6% and 84.5% respectively, indicating that the above three have not yet recovered, among which the export of cotton fabric had a larger decline. From the perspective of cumulative exports from January to April, the trend was similar. Compared with the same period in 2019, total export volume of textile and apparel moved up by 17.1%, in which the cumulative export volume of knitted fabrics, bedding and towels rose by 31.6%, 20% and 14.3% respectively and that of apparel, cotton yarn and cotton fabric dropped by 21.1%, 2.8% and 81.2% respectively.

Pakistani textile and apparel imports soared

Pakistani cotton, synthetic fiber, rayon and apparel imports volume all grew well year-on-year, and declined to varying degrees month-on-month, indicating that the import volume was less than that of last month. From the cumulative year-on-year growth, it still maintained growth, but the growth rate of cotton import volume was relatively small. Compared with the same period in 2019, the import of major textile and apparel rose differently except for cotton which declined, and the growth of apparel was relatively large. In Jan-Apr, the cumulative imports moved up sharply compared with the same period in 2019. In terms of growth rate, the growth rate of import volume was far greater than that of textile and apparel, indicating the unit price was affected by exchange rate.

In conclusion, the export of Pakistani knitwear, bedding and towel was still good, which has recovered to the pre-pandemic level, and even saw a large growth. However, the export volume of apparel, cotton yarn and cotton fabric was still recovering and has not yet recovered to the pre-pandemic level. In April, Pakistani import declined month-on-month and rose year-on-year, which has recovered compared with the same period in 2019.