Export quantity jumps over 23% during FY2025-26, while export earnings remain largely unchanged due to lower average international prices.
Pakistan’s footwear exports recorded a marginal increase in value during fiscal year 2025-26, reaching Rs49.29 billion, as export volumes witnessed significant growth, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The statistics showed that Pakistan exported 23,465 units of footwear products during FY2025-26, compared with 19,049 units in the previous fiscal year. This represents a substantial 23.18% increase in export quantity, highlighting growing demand for Pakistani footwear in international markets.
Export Earnings Remain Stable
Despite the strong increase in shipment volumes, export earnings remained almost unchanged. The value of footwear exports stood at Rs49.29 billion during FY2025-26, slightly higher than Rs49.28 billion recorded in FY2024-25, reflecting a marginal increase of 0.02% in local currency terms.
In dollar terms, however, footwear exports declined slightly. Export receipts fell to $175.60 million in FY2025-26 from $176.47 million in the previous fiscal year, showing a decrease of 0.47%.
The divergence between rising export volumes and relatively stagnant earnings indicates that exporters may have faced lower international prices or shifted toward lower-priced product categories to maintain competitiveness in overseas markets.
Strong Volume Growth Signals Market Expansion
Industry observers view the significant increase in export quantity as a positive sign for Pakistan’s footwear sector.
The rise in shipments suggests that local manufacturers have successfully expanded their presence in foreign markets despite challenging global economic conditions and intense competition from regional exporters.
Pakistan’s footwear industry has been focusing on improving production capacity, product quality and compliance with international standards, which has helped exporters secure new orders and strengthen relationships with global buyers.
Focus Needed on Value Addition
While the increase in export volume reflects growing international demand, the sector faces the challenge of improving export value. The near-flat earnings despite a 23% rise in quantity suggest that average export prices have declined.
Experts believe that greater investment in branded products, premium leather footwear, modern manufacturing techniques and market diversification could help Pakistan increase export revenues.
Moving toward higher-value footwear segments may enable exporters to generate stronger foreign exchange earnings and enhance the industry’s contribution to the national economy in the coming years.
The latest PBS figures indicate that Pakistan’s footwear sector possesses strong growth potential, but sustained gains will depend on value addition and improved pricing power in international markets.