Breakup of trade data in May: PBS

June 16, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan's trade deficit narrowed sharply on a month-on-month basis in May 2026, contracting 34.93% MoM to $2.79bn, compared to $4.28bn recorded in April 2026, according to provisional data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

On a yearly basis, however, the trade gap narrowed 6.89% from $2.99bn recorded in May 2025.

The monthly improvement was driven by a significant decline in imports, which more than offset modest export gains.

Exports rose 9.00% MoM to $2.69bn in May, up from $2.47bn in April 2026.

Imports fell 18.66% MoM to $5.48bn in May, down from $6.73bn in April 2026. On a year-on-year basis, imports also declined 3.30% compared to $5.66bn in May 2025.

In rupee terms, exports during May 2026 stood at Rs749.45bn, reflecting an increase of 8.83% over April 2026, though a decrease of 0.39% compared to May 2025.

Imports amounted to Rs1.537tr, reflecting a decrease of 18.30% over April 2026 and a decline of 3.66% compared to the same month last year.

As a result, the balance of trade in May 2026 stood at (-)Rs787.10bn in rupee terms and (-)$2.79bn in dollar terms.

On a cumulative basis, exports during July–May 2025-26 totalled $27.89bn, down 5.67% from $29.56bn in the corresponding period last year. Cumulative imports over the same period rose 6.26% to $62.85bn from $59.15bn.

The cumulative trade deficit for July–May 2025-26 stood at (-)$34.96bn, or (-)Rs9.84tr in rupee terms.

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