Annual Analytical Report on External Trade Statistics of Pakistan 2 0 2 4 F Y 31 SECTION-1 2024 Table 7: Top 20 Bedwear Exports Destination During FY2024 COUNTRY EXPORT VALUE (MILLION US$) EXPORT QUANTITY (THOU SAND DOZ) FY 2024 FY 2023 % Change FY 2024 FY 2023 % Change BEDWEAR EXPORT 2,803 2,692 4.12 469,493 407,528 15.21 U.S. Amer ica 581 550 5.60 96,550 82,501 17.03 United Kingdom 460 424 8.49 76,398 64,988 17.56 Germany 308 284 8.58 48,227 38,181 26.31 Nether lands 247 229 7.77 41,199 33,634 22.49 Italy 176 183 -3.86 32,841 31,615 3.88 France 148 151 -2.03 24,959 23,428 6.54 Spain 147 142 3.49 27,408 24,577 11.52 Belgium 118 142 -17.12 19,464 19,622 -0.81 Australia 86 96 -9.63 13,702 13,817 -0.83 Poland 73 65 12.79 12,705 10,123 25.50 Denmark 58 54 6.89 8,967 7,529 19.09 Sweden 39 28 38.32 5,578 3,490 59.81 Canada 32 27 18.72 6,197 4,935 25.59 U.A.E 29 30 -5.69 5,268 5,622 -6.30 Slovenia 29 27 7.62 5,499 4,246 29.53 Ireland 28 25 13.25 4,067 3,190 27.47 Greece 27 26 3.39 4,690 3,974 18.01 Norway 22 20 9.13 2,887 2,449 17.88 Chile 15 12 29.25 2,523 1,561 61.62 New Zea land 15 16 -6.94 2,299 2,271 1.25 1.1.1.4. Cotton Cloth Exports The cotton industry has long been the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, with cotton cloth exports playing a pivotal role in the country’s trade portfolio. Pakistan is one of the largest cotton producers in the world, and the export of cotton cloth has historically been a significant contributor to its foreign exchange earnings. However, the textile export figures from recent years highlight both opportunities and challenges for the sector. From 2019 to 2022, Pakistan’s textile exports grew steadily, peaking at US$18.86 billion in 2022. Despite this growth, 2023 saw a decline to US$16.24 billion, reflecting challenges such as global competition and domestic inefficiencies. Competitors like Bangladesh and Vietnam continue to outperform Pakistan significantly, with Bangladesh reaching US$61.22 billion in 2022 and Vietnam maintaining consistent growth. These trends indicate the need for Pakistan to innovate and improve its productivity to regain competitiveness in the global market. In FY 2024, Pakistan’s cotton cloth exports also faced mixed trends, recording a decline of 7.7 percent in value but an increase of 16.1 percent in quantity. The total value of exports dropped to US$1.886 billion from US$2.022 billion in FY 2023, highlighting challenges such as fluctuating global demand, rising production costs, and quality concerns. This discrepancy between value and quantity suggests that while Pakistan managed to export more cotton cloth, lower global prices or reduced competitiveness might have impacted earnings. For Pakistan’s textile sector to thrive, it must focus on value addition, modernization of machinery, and diversification into higher-quality products to command better prices. Addressing these issues can help Pakistan strengthen its position in the global market and bridge the gap with leading competitors like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India. Key Export Markets and Performance Table 8: Top 20 Cotton Cloth Exports Destination During FY2024 COUNTRY EXPORT VALUE (MILLION US$) EXPORT QUANTITY (MT) FY 2024 FY 2023 % Change FY 2024 FY 2023 % Change COTTON CLOTH EXPORT 1,866 2,022 -7.7 361,175 311,094 16.1 Bangla desh 471 440 7.1 85,305 62,193 37.2 U.S. America 144 141 1.6 22,306 18,147 22.9 Italy 122 162 -25.0 24,284 27,326 -11.1 Turkey 104 117 -10.8 22,469 17,794 26.3 Portugal 79 83 -5.0 16,174 15,523 4.2 Sri Lanka 78 74 6.0 12,378 9,416 31.5 Spain 74 90 -17.6 14,886 14,589 2.0 Nether lands 63 72 -12.8 11,902 12,710 -6.4 Germany 57 82 -31.0 10,405 15,134 -31.2 Egypt 56 41 36.6 10,875 6,728 61.6 China 46 52 -10.8 12,691 10,083 25.9 Viet Nam 44 48 -9.4 7,160 7,190 -0.4 Belgium 40 47 -16.6 9,087 7,417 22.5 United Kingdom 33 39 -16.8 6,479 6,424 0.9 South Africa 31 41 -22.9 6,592 5,849 12.7 Brazil 30 11 170.1 5,196 1,948 166.7 Poland 30 33 -7.2 5,828 4,846 20.3 United Arab Emirates 27 32 -17.2 5,817 4,672 24.5 Mexico 25 38 -33.0 5,166 5,316 -2.8 Japan 23 30 -23.1 6,499 4,846 34.1 During FY2024, Pakistan’s cotton cloth exports totalled $1,866 million, down 7.7 percent from $2,022 million in FY2023, despite a 16.1 percent increase in export quantity, reaching 361,175 metric tons. Bangladesh was the leading destination, with exports valued at $471 million (up 7.1 percent) and a substantial 37.2 percent increase in quantity to 85,305 metric tons. The U.S. followed with $144 million (a 1.6 percent rise) and a 22.9 percent increase in quantity to 22,306 metric tons.
32 Annual Analytical Report on External Trade Statistics of Pakistan 2 0 2 4 F Y While exports to Italy fell by 25 percent in value and 11.1 percent in quantity, Turkey showed robust growth in quantity (26.3 percent) but a 10.8 percent decline in value. Notable growth was also seen in exports to Egypt, where value surged by 36.6 percent and quantity by 61.6 percent, while Brazil recorded the highest growth rate in both value (170.1 percent) and quantity (166.7 percent). 1.1.1.5. Towel Exports Pakistan’s textile sector holds a vital position in the global market, with towel production serving as a cornerstone of its home textiles industry. Renowned for their high quality, absorbency, and affordability, Pakistani towels have carved a niche in international markets. During FY 2024, the export of towels showed resilience and moderate growth despite global economic challenges. Exports increased by 5.6 percent in value and 13.7 percent in quantity, demonstrating Pakistan’s ability to meet growing demand from major markets such as the United States, European Union, and the Middle East. This growth reflects the country’s competitive pricing and the reputation of its textile sector. However, sustaining this growth will require strategic measures, including upgrading manufacturing processes, diversifying product ranges, and ensuring compliance with international standards. While Pakistan’s towel exports showed encouraging trends, several challenges continue to impact the industry’s long-term sustainability. Rising production costs, energy shortages, and fluctuating raw material prices remain significant hurdles for manufacturers. Furthermore, increasing competition from countries like India, Bangladesh, and Turkey poses a risk to Pakistan’s market share. To address these challenges, Pakistan must invest in modernizing its textile infrastructure and focus on innovation to produce higher-value and sustainable towel products. Strengthening trade relations and exploring new markets can also help mitigate the risks posed by overdependence on traditional buyers. By tackling these issues, Pakistan’s towel industry can not only sustain its growth but also enhance its position as a global leader in home textiles. Key Export Markets and Performance: The key export destinations for Pakistani towels during FY 2024 were the United States, the European Union, and the Middle East. These markets accounted for a significant share of Pakistan’s towel exports, driven by strong demand from both the retail and hospitality sectors. In FY 2024, Pakistan’s total towel exports were valued at approximately US$ 1,055 million. The United States emerged as the largest importer, accounting for 34.9 percent of the total export of towel, followed by the United Kingdom with 9.7 percent and Netherlands with 8.9 percent. Table 9: Top 20 Towel Export Destination During FY2024 COUN TRY EXPORT VALUE (MILLION US$) EXPORT QUANTITY (MT) FY 2024 FY 2023 % Change FY 2024 FY 2023 % Change TOWELS EXPORT 1,055 1,000 5.6 222,720 195,814 13.7 U.S. Amer ica 368 335 10 83,386 70,141 18.9 United Kingdom 103 106 -2.8 19,018 18,357 3.6 Nether lands 94 82 13.9 18,940 15,431 22.7 Italy 68 63 8.5 14,940 12,596 18.6 Spain 56 56 0.5 10,965 10,015 9.5 Germany 52 44 19.1 10,353 9,141 13.3 France 43 43 0.7 8,947 7,865 13.8 Poland 27 25 9.3 5,767 4,778 20.7 Greece 23 22 7.5 4,333 3,734 16 United Arab Emirates 18 26 -33.8 3,579 4,908 -27.1 Belgium 17 16 4.9 3,910 3,440 13.7 South Africa 16 17 -2.9 2,979 2,910 2.4 Saudi Arabia 12 15 -21.2 2,342 2,832 -17.3 Canada 11 11 7 2,763 2,455 12.6 Romania 11 5 105.2 2,158 1,009 113.8 Ireland 11 13 -15.5 1,888 1,996 -5.4 Denmark 10 10 -7.2 1,742 1,762 -1.1 Hungary 8 2 267.6 1,599 364 339 Australia 8 9 -13.9 1,553 1,585 -2 Ghana 7 5 36.6 1,708 1,170 46 1.1.1.6. Cotton Yarn Exports Pakistan is among the top producers and exporters of cotton yarn globally, benefiting from its well-established cotton farming industry. Cotton yarn is a critical raw material for the textile industry, which is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. During FY 2024, the export of cotton yarn faced a complex set of challenges, ranging from fluctuating global demand to domestic production issues. During FY 2024, Pakistan’s cotton yarn exports witnessed an increase of 13.2 percent in value and 24.9 percent in quantity as compared to last fiscal year. Despite hurdles, Pakistan remained a significant exporter of cotton yarn, with major markets including China, Bangladesh, and Turkey. These countries import Pakistani cotton yarn to supply their textile and garment
Annual Analytical Report on External Trade Statistics of Pakistan
2 0 2 4
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industries, particularly for producing fabrics for export to
Europe and the United States.
As shown in the table, the total export volume of
cotton yarn during FY 2024 was approximately 353,454
metric tons, generating a total export value of US$ 956
million. China remained the largest importer, accounting
for 67.8 percent of Pakistan’s total cotton yarn exports,
followed by Bangladesh with 9.0 percent and Portugal
with 3.6 percent.
Table 10: Top 20 Cotton Yarn Export Market During FY2024
COUN
TRY
EXPORT VALUE
(MILLION US$)
EXPORT QUANTITY
(MT)
FY
2024
FY
2023
%
Change
FY
2024
FY
2023
%
Change
COTTON
YARN
956
844
13.2
353,454
283,031
24.9
China
648
446
45.2
260,514
168,733
54.4
Bangla
desh
86
89
-2.8
31,449
28,308
11.1
Portugal
34
46
-26.4
10,077
13,514
-25.4
Japan
27
33
-17.7
8,604
9,664
-11
Turkey
21
30
-30.3
6,767
8,245
-17.9
U.S. Amer
ica
20
19
4.4
5,454
5,195
5
Italy
20
38
-47.7
5,212
8,261
-36.9
Germany
14
14
-0.8
3,462
3,347
3.5
South
Korea
13
19
-32.7
3,826
4,947
-22.7
Sri Lanka
13
13
-2
2,997
3,079
-2.7
Viet Nam
9
9
4.1
2,309
3,208
-28
Nether
lands
7
6
5.4
1,269
1,462
-13.2
Belgium
4
7
-36.4
1,307
2,004
-34.8
Brazil
4
2
79
906
765
18.4
Spain
4
5
-16.8
1,128
1,405
-19.7
Egypt
4
8
-48.9
1,173
2,487
-52.8
Malaysia
3
3
9.5
633
766
-17.3
Madagas
car
3
1
253.5
637
263
142.4
Indonesia
2
4
-46.5
554
1,348
-58.9
Slovenia
2
4
-42.1
511
1,333
-61.6
1.1.1.7. Textiles Made-up (Excluding Towel & Bedwear) Exports
Despite facing global economic uncertainties and
domestic production issues, Pakistan’s export of textiles
made-up (excluding towels and bedwear), maintained
steady growth of 3.3 percent in FY 2024. The demand
for home textiles, kitchen linens, and other finished textile
products remained strong, particularly in markets such
as the United States, European Union, and the Middle
East.
Pakistan’s textile industry, known for producing high-
quality cotton-based products, leveraged its competitive
edge in terms of raw material availability and skilled
labour to export a diverse range of made-up articles.
In FY 2024, total exports in this category reached
approximately US$ 715 million, reflecting resilience
despite various headwinds. As shown in the table:11,
Kitchen Textiles accounted for 65.3 percent, followed by
Curtains & Upholstery Fabrics with 17.2 percent, and
table linens with 12.5 percent. Industrial textiles and
other miscellaneous made-up articles made up the
remaining share.
Table 11: Pakistan’s Export of Made-Up Textiles (Excluding Towels & Bedwear)
in FY 2024
PRODUCT CATEGORY
EXPORT VALUE
(MILLION US$)
MARKET
SHARE (%)
Curtains & Upholstery Fabrics
123
17.2
Kitchen Textiles (Napkins, Aprons)
467
65.3
Table Linens
89
12.5
Industrial & Institutional Textiles
14
1.9
Other Made-Up Articles
22
3.1
Total Exports
715
100.0
Key Markets for Made-Up Textiles
In FY 2024, Pakistan’s made-up articles were exported
primarily to the United States, European Union, and
Middle Eastern countries. These regions continued to
account for the bulk of demand due to strong consumer
preferences for high-quality textile products and the
continued expansion of the home textile and hospitality
industries.
1. United States:
The U.S. remained the largest market for Pakistan’s
made-up articles. Products like curtains, kitchen linens,
and institutional textiles saw strong demand from
retail chains and the hospitality industry in the U.S. The
favourable trade relationship between Pakistan and the
U.S. helped boost exports, as Pakistani products are well-
regarded for their competitive pricing and quality.
2. European Union:
The European Union was the second-largest market,
with countries like Germany, the UK, and France being
key importers. Pakistan benefitted from the Generalized
Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status, which allowed
tariff-free access for several textile products, including
made-up articles. However, stringent environmental and
social compliance standards in the EU market posed a
challenge for exporters.
3. Middle East:
The demand for made-up articles in the Middle
East, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, remained
robust, driven by a growing hospitality and real estate
sector. Pakistani products were favoured due to their