Export recovery signals resilience despite Middle East tensions and rising industry costs
Pakistan recorded a sharp increase in textile exports in April 2026, with shipments rising more than 21% year-on-year despite trade disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.
According to data released on Monday by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), textile exports climbed to $1.48 billion in April 2026, compared with $1.22 billion in the same month last year, reflecting growth of 21.27%.
Monthly exports also increase
On a month-on-month basis, textile exports rose 11.38% from $1.39 billion recorded in March 2026, indicating improved export momentum.
However, cumulative exports during the first 10 months of fiscal year 2025-26 showed modest growth of 1.29%, reaching $15.03 billion compared with $14.83 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
Middle East tensions disrupted trade
Market analysts said the regional crisis linked to the Iran-US conflict had disrupted Pakistan’s textile exports by affecting shipping routes, logistics and raw material supply chains.
They noted that export performance improved in April during the temporary ceasefire period, which helped normalize shipments and ease transportation bottlenecks.
Industry continues to face challenges
Despite the improvement, analysts said Pakistan’s textile sector continues to face structural challenges, including high taxation, elevated electricity and gas tariffs, and inflationary pressures increasing raw material costs.
Exporters have repeatedly urged the government to reduce energy costs and improve policy stability to maintain competitiveness in global markets.
The textile sector remains Pakistan’s largest export industry and a major source of foreign exchange earnings and employment.