ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports of non-textile products dropped by nearly 20 per cent to $6.93 billion in the first 10 months (July-April) of the current fiscal year from $8.64bn a year earlier, mainly due to a fall in commodity prices on the international market.

Export proceeds of almost all sectors fell during the period under review, both in value and quantity terms, according to data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

The food group registered a decline of 12.7pc during July-April 2015-16 compared to the same period of the last year.

Within the food group, rice exports fell 11pc in value despite a growth of 8pc in terms of quantity. Basmati rice exports dropped 28pc in value and 9pc in quantity. By contrast, other rice varieties witnessed a decline of 4.6pc in value but their quantity rose 10.7pc.

Exports of fish and its products edged lower by 5.6pc in value and 5.4pc in quantity as compared to last year. Sugar exports declined 47pc in terms of quantity and 47pc in value, while that of spices rose 17.6pc in value and 7.3pc in quantity.

Exports earnings from fruits dropped 4.8pc in value and 6pc in quantity, while vegetables also witnessed a decline of 9.6pc in value and 7.6pc in quantity.

Meat and meat preparation, however, posted a year-on-year growth of 13pc in value and 4pc in quantity during July-April FY16 on the back of government’s initiatives and incentives provided to the livestock sector. In the budget 2016-17, the government has come up with more incentives for the sector to promote exports and cater to domestic market as well.

Exports of petroleum and coal groups fell 75.6pc year-on-year on account of a 99.6pc decline in petroleum naphtha exports from $236.3 million to $1.1m in July-April FY16 of the same period this year. However, coal group witnessed a growth of 217pc in terms of value.

Petroleum crude also registered a negative growth of 63pc in value and 33pc in quantity during the period under review.

Exports of carpets, rugs and mats dropped both in value (19.55pc) and quantity (24.18pc). Pakistan’s carpets used to have enormous demand in international markets, but shortage of skilled labour force and failure to cope with the changing trends in world markets have affected their exports.

Proceeds from tanned leather fell 27pc in value and 26pc in quantity during the period under review. On the other hand, exports of surgical goods and medical instruments grew 5pc in value.

Besides, exports of sports goods dropped 3pc in value. However, exports of football inched up by 4pc in value and 16pc in quantity.

Footwear exports dropped 18pc. Within the group, only canvas footwear proceeds posted a growth, 58pc in value and 51pc in quantity.

Other non-traditional items like plastic material and pharmaceutical products declined 29pc and 4pc in value and 48pc and 26.6pc in quantity, respectively, during the period under review.

Among other items, exports of gems during July-April FY16 plunged 52pc in value and 42pc in quantity.

Cement exports dropped 28pc in value and 23.8pc in quantity during the period under review. Exports of gur and its products dropped 57.8pc in value and 44pc in quantity. However, exports of jewellery edged up by 11pc in terms of value during the period under review.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2016