Non-textile exports post paltry growth

Published April 23, 2021
Overall growth in the non-textile sector is mainly led by the value-added sectors. — Reuters/File
Overall growth in the non-textile sector is mainly led by the value-added sectors. — Reuters/File

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s non-textile exports posted a paltry growth of 4.28 per cent year-on-year to $7.332 billion during the nine months of ongoing fiscal year (9MFY21) owing to the partial revival of international orders.

Overall growth in the non-textile sector is mainly led by the value-added sectors. Non-textile sector has yet to receive full orders to pre-Covid levels, data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed.

In 9MFY21, three sectors — leather garments, surgical instruments and engineering goods — have maintained growth in export proceeds despite lockdowns in many countries.

Food shortages in domestic market and lesser demand in international market led to overall drop in demands for Pakistani food products, especially fruits.

Data compiled by the PBS showed the food basket contracted 1.84pc in the July-March period from a year ago.

Under this category, exports of rice witnessed a decline of 2.11pc. On the other hand, Basmati exports dipped 27.30pc in value and 33.22pc in quantity while non-basmati exports were up by 11.90pc in value.

The export of spices was up by 5.21pc, followed by oil seeds, nuts 172.85pc, meat and products 6.54pc during the period under review. Contrary to this, export of fish and fish products declined by 4.32pc while that of foreign sales of vegetables dipped by 4.55pc, fruits 0.29pc, tobacco 13.86pc.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2021

Follow Dawn Business on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Minimum wages
Updated 13 Jun, 2025

Minimum wages

Foolish to expect toothless and corrupt provincial employees’ social security organisations to force wealthy employers to implement the minimum wage.
Iran attack fears
13 Jun, 2025

Iran attack fears

AS the fate of the US-Iran talks remains undecided, there are worrying signs that in case the negotiations collapse,...
Climate realities
13 Jun, 2025

Climate realities

EVEN as he faced a difficult crowd at the finance ministry’s post-budget press conference, it seems that Finance...
Lack of direction
Updated 12 Jun, 2025

Lack of direction

Few believe that a govt desperate to grow the economy can actually pull it off, as the dynamism required is not visible.
Taxing e-commerce
12 Jun, 2025

Taxing e-commerce

FOR the first time, the government has the digital economy in its crosshairs. With a slew of new measures proposed ...
Kashmir mediation
12 Jun, 2025

Kashmir mediation

ONE of the noteworthy outcomes of last month’s limited clashes between Pakistan and India is that the Kashmir ...