ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s non-textile exports posted 1.85 per cent growth year-on-year to $5.49 billion in the first seven months of FY21 owing to the revival of orders from international markets.

The non-textile sector was yet to receive full orders to the level of pre-Covid-19, latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed.

However, the growth was only seen in the value-added textile products during the July-January period of 2020-21. Three sectors — leather garments, surgical instruments and engineering goods — have maintained growth in export proceeds despite lockdowns in many countries.

The data compiled by the PBS showed the food basket contracted 6.33pc in the July-January period from a year ago.

Under this category, exports of rice witnessed a decline of 4.66pc. On the other hand, basmati exports dipped 31.81pc in value but exports of non-basmati up by 11.11pc in value.

Export of fish and fish products declined by 13.02pc while that of foreign sales of vegetables dipped by 11.87pc. However, exports of fruits revived posting a growth of 1.73pc, tobacco up by 20.09pc, spices 7.94pc and meat products 2.5pc during the months under review.

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

After a long time, leather exports also rebounded by 6.86pc. The exports of engineering goods went up 22.78pc and surgical instruments 4.07pc.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2021