ISLAMABAD, June 21: Export of non-textile products posted a paltry growth of 3.13 per cent in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year over last year, a move towards exports diversification.

The growth was mainly driven by engineering goods, surgical goods, sports goods, jewelry etc during the period under review, suggested data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Thursday.

In absolute terms, volume of non-textile products reached $10.227 billion in July-May period this year as against $9.916 billion over the same period last year.

Although an over-all export volume of these products recorded an unprecedented increase, a sharp decline in exports of some traditional products was also witnessed.

The upward trend in export of non-textile products is being recorded since July 2008, indicating a natural diversification of the export base owing to depreciation of rupee, which was highly concentrated in few textile-based products.

But carpets and leather products witnessed a declining trend in export proceeds since December 2008 owing to higher cost of doing business and high competition from China and Indian exporters.

A 7.29 per cent decline was witnessed in export of carpets during the period under review over last year.

Export of sports goods was up by 2.96 per cent in July-May period this year over the last year. Export of footballs recorded an increase of 9.82 per cent. However, export of gloves declined by 7.06pc.

Pakistan’s export of surgical goods and medical instruments increased by 17.06 per cent, engineering goods was up 11.98 per cent, jewelry 105.35 per cent and cement 7.73 per cent during the period under review over the last year.

However, export of leather manufacturer declined by 4.54 per cent during the July-May period this year over last year. However, export of leather gloves recorded a growth of 37.22 per cent during the period under review.

Footwear exports also posted a negative growth of 8.98 per cent in July-May period this year over last year.

Overall export of food group reached $3.908 billion in July-May period this year as against $4.044 billion over the same period last year, showing a decline of 3.37 per cent.

The fall in export of food group was mainly driven by decline in export of rice of all varieties. Export of rice declined by 3.59 per cent in July-May period this year from a year ago.

However, the decline was recorded only in basmati rice. The non-basmati rice recorded a growth of 4.16 per cent during the period under review. Export of meat recorded a growth of 14.87 per cent during the July-May period this year over last year.

Export of fish products increased by 10.98 per cent, fruits 27.46 per cent, pulses 462 per cent, spices 0.71 per cent, oil seeds 64.53 per cent, and all other food items 38.76 per cent during the July-May period this year over the last year.