ISLAMABAD: Exports of non-textile products increased by 24.95 per cent to $14.02 billion in 2023-24 from $11.22bn in the preceding year.

According to data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the main driver of non-textile product exports was raw food items and a few value-added products in FY24, up from a year ago.

In contrast, textiles and clothing goods exports increased by only 0.93pc in FY24 compared to the previous year. The growth in non-textile products is a healthy sign of getting more orders from the international market.

The export of engineering goods increased 14.60pc in FY24 from a year ago, followed by 40.36pc growth in cement. In the engineering sector, the growth was recorded in exports of electric fans, transport equipment, auto parts, and rubber tyres.

In contrast, footwear exports dropped 9.22pc and leather garments 11.25pc year-on-year in FY24. The decline was also observed in leather gloves. The exports of raw leather also decreased by 17.92pc during the said period.

Pakistan is one of the main suppliers of global surgical instruments. How­e­ver, the export value of these instruments remai­ned negligible in FY24 over the preceding year as famous brands re-marke­ted these in Western countries. It recorded a negati­ve growth of 0.64pc during the outgoing fiscal year.

According to PBS data, raw food exports increased by 46.77 per cent in FY24 over the preceding fiscal year. The value of raw food exports reached $7.37 billion in 2023-24, up from $5.02bn over the corresponding period last year.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2024