Pakistan's exports jump 17.6% in September as textiles and apparel grow 6% in first quarter

Pakistan's goods exports rose 17.6% year on year to $2.94 billion in September 2026, up from $2.50 billion a year earlier, according to figures reported by the Pakistani business site ProPakistani on 5 October. Compared with August, when exports stood at $2.53 billion, shipments rose by 16%.

For the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27 (July to September), exports totalled $8.42 billion, an increase of 10.8%, or about $825 million, on the same period a year earlier.

Growth was broad-based across the main export groups, according to the report:

• Textiles and apparel: up 6% in the first quarter.
• Agriculture and food: up 23% in the quarter, with September alone up 62% year on year.
• Manufacturing, mining and energy: up 17% in the quarter.

Khurram Shehzad, adviser to Pakistan's finance minister, described the sustained rise in exports as an encouraging development despite regional challenges, saying higher exports were adding to foreign exchange earnings and supporting the country's goal of export-led growth.

What it means for Egyptian exporters

Pakistan is one of Egypt's most direct competitors in cotton-based home textiles such as bed linen and towels, and also in denim and knitwear, in both the EU and US markets. Steady growth in its textile and apparel shipments shows that Pakistani suppliers are holding their ground with buyers. Egyptian home-textile and garment exporters should keep their offer sharp on lead time, proximity to Europe and the quality of Egyptian cotton, where they can differentiate.