ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports of non-textile products shrank 12.64 per cent year-on-year to $774 million in March, due to cancellation and delays of orders amid coronavirus-related closures in major export markets.

In the pre-Covid-19 period, an upward trend was noticed in the exports of non-textile products, largely driven by depreciation of the rupee.

Few value-added sectors have still maintained growth in proceeds despite lockdown such as leather garments, footwear, surgical instruments and engineering goods.

The Ministry of Commerce is focusing on exports of textile products and is providing maximum cash subsidies. However, the non-textile sectors, which represent mostly small exporters, have largely remained uncatered.

Between July-March FY20, the export of non-textile products were repoat $7.04 billion compared to $7.082bn over the corresponding months of last year, showing a decline of 0.6pc.

The data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed the food basket contracted 23.23pc in March from a year ago. Under this category, exports of rice witnessed a decline of 14.52pc, thanks to fall in non-basmati variants. On the other hand, basmati exports rose 12pc in value and 27pc in quantity.

Export of fish and fish products declined by15.74pc while that of vegetables dipped by 26.7pc. However, foreign sale of fruits surged by 16.9pc, tobacco 399pc, spices 4.54pc, and meat products 25.69pc during the month under review.

No exports were recorded of wheat, sugar, and pulses following the imposition of ban from the country in the month of March.

After a long time, leather exports also rebounded by 17.83pc, driven mainly by sales of leather garments, gloves, followed by other products.

Footwear exports went up by 8.01pc on the back of leather footwear and others, surgical goods, and medical instruments by 19.45pc. Engineering goods went up by 61.19pc during the month.

Contrary to these, exports of carpet and rug decreased in value by 28.7pc and in quantity by 11.68pc during March from a year ago. However, those of sports goods went down 7.43pc with football dipping by 12.18pc. Tanned leather exports also plunged 33.49pc.

Year-on-year, exports of jewellery surged 180.56pc, furniture 42.9pc, molasses 30pc, cement 4.92pc and gur 45.67pc while those of gems dropped by 50pc.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2020