Football exports drive annual growth despite a sharp decline in June shipments, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data.
Pakistan sports goods exports recorded solid growth during the fiscal year 2025-26, with overseas shipments increasing by 10.08 percent compared to the previous fiscal year.
The rise was mainly supported by stronger football exports, helping the sector surpass the US$424 million mark despite a slowdown in exports during June.
According to figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country exported sports goods worth US$424.349 million during July-June FY2025-26, compared with US$385.502 million recorded in the corresponding period of FY2024-25.
The increase reflects sustained international demand for Pakistani-made sporting products, particularly footballs, which remain the country’s leading export item in this category.
Football exports posted an impressive annual performance, climbing 11.72 percent during the fiscal year. Export earnings from footballs increased from US$229.782 million in FY2024-25 to US$256.723 million in FY2025-26, reinforcing Pakistan’s position as one of the world’s major football manufacturing hubs.
However, not every segment recorded positive growth. Exports of gloves declined by 5.91 percent, falling from US$63.307 million in the previous fiscal year to US$59.567 million during FY2025-26.
In contrast, exports of other sports goods registered a notable improvement, rising 16.93 percent to US$108.059 million, up from US$92.413 million a year earlier.
Despite the encouraging annual results, the sector experienced a significant decline in June 2026. On a year-on-year basis, sports goods exports dropped 28.08 percent, with export earnings falling to US$26.164 million from US$36.378 million recorded in June 2025.
The monthly data also showed weakness across key product categories. Football exports declined by 38.90 percent, while glove exports fell 11.27 percent during June compared with the same month last year.
Exports of other sports goods also decreased by 12.52 percent, reflecting slower international shipments during the month.
On a month-on-month basis, sports goods exports also contracted sharply. PBS data showed exports declined 35.04 percent from US$40.275 million in May 2026 to US$26.164 million in June 2026, indicating a temporary slowdown after a stronger performance earlier in the fiscal year.
Despite the weaker end to the year, the overall annual figures highlight the resilience of Pakistan’s sports goods industry, driven primarily by continued growth in football exports.