ISLAMABAD: The exports of non-textile products contracted by 11 per cent to $773 million in the first month of the current fiscal year from $868m in the same month last year due to a falling demand, data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed on Wednesday.

The decline in export proceeds of the non-textile sector was noted across all sectors, especially value-added sectors. The non-textile sector’s exports posted a growth of 25.85pc in the recently ended FY22.

In the value-added leather sector, exports of leather garments registered a negative growth of 22.85pc and leather gloves 14.51pc, respectively. The exports of raw leather also declined by over 4.66pc during the July.

Pakistan is one of the main suppliers of global surgical instruments. However, these instruments are re-marketed in western countries by famous brands. As a result, the export value of these products remains very negligible.

The export of surgical instruments posted a negative growth of 13.24pc in July 2022 over the same month last year. However, the exports of pharmaceutical products posted negative growth of 1.44pc during the month under review.

The export of footwear increased by 28.03pc YoY, led by leather and canvas footwear. The export of engineering products dipped 6.97pc YoY in July 2022. Electric fan exports, on the other hand, increased by 16.19pc during the month under review.

The export of carpets went up by 35.60pc, while that of sports goods went up 10.90pc in July compared to a year ago. In the sports industry, football sales increased 32.35pc YoY in July of this year. Pakistan is the official football supplier for the next FIFA World Cup to start in November in Doha, Qatar.

The government has proposed several measures in the budget for 2021-22, including a reduction in raw material duty to encourage the export of pharmaceutical, plastic, chemical, engineering, and value-added textile products.

Data compiled by the PBS showed the food basket posted a growth of 6.57pc in July compared to a year ago.

Under this category, exports of rice witnessed a paltry negative growth of 0.86pc year-on-year in July, mainly because of a drop in exports of basmati rice. The break-up showed that basmati exports in value decreased by 22.72pc and 35.96pc in quantity, while non-basmati exports were up by 15.09pc in value and 7.19pc in quantity. Spice exports fell by 10.61pc, followed by oilseeds, nuts, and fruits, all of which fell by 29.96pc.

The export of meat and products was up 7.88pc, followed by the export of fish products, which increased by 30.02pc, vegetables by 161pc, and tobacco by 415pc in July 2022 over the last year.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2022