Pakistan exports reach $2.5bn in February 2026

March 17, 2026 (MLN): Provisional State Bank of Pakistan data reveals total export receipts of $2.48 billion for February 2026 underpinned by $1.36bn in textile shipments, a dramatic 62% monthly surge in ore and mineral exports, and the strongest cereal export month since October 2025.

According to provisional data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in Febuaray 2026, Pakistan's total exports on a Balance of Payments basis reached $2.48bn in February 2026, while bank receipts on an FOB basis after deducting freight costs stood at $2.43bn.

The headline BOP figure represents a 9.6% decline compared to the revised January 2026 reading of $2.75bn.

A notable bright spot within the month's data was the ores and minerals category, which posted a 62% month-on-month surge the strongest monthly jump recorded in that segment so far in 2026.

Pakistan's export receipts through banks totalled $2.425bn in February 2026, according to provisional data published by the Statistics Department of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

When combined with other export categories including land-borne trade, outstanding export bills, and goods procured at ports total exports on a Balance of Payments (BOP) basis reached $2.482bn.

While the headline BOP figure reflects a 9.6% pullback from January 2026's revised $2.745bn, the underlying bank-receipt measure was down a far more modest 3.4%, with the gap explained almost entirely by a sharp swing in the volatile "other exports" residual category.

Textiles and textile articles (HS Section 11) generated $1.359bn in February 2026, representing approximately 56% of all bank export receipts.

While this was lower than January's $1.462bn, the figure is consistent with the seasonal pattern of a shorter February and broadly aligns with the sector's recent trajectory above $1.3bn per month.

Pakistan's textile industry concentrated in Punjab's Faisalabad belt and Karachi's garment clusters continues to benefit from established buyer relationships in the European Union and the United States, as well as competitive pricing against regional rivals.

Within textiles, made-up textile articles (HS63 bed linen, towels, curtains and home furnishings) topped the sub-category rankings at $424.2m, retaining the top spot it has held for several consecutive months.

Knitted garments (HS61) contributed $362.8 million and non-knitted apparel (HS62) added $343.0m together, the two garment chapters earned $705.8m in a single month, demonstrating the depth of Pakistan's value-added clothing manufacturing capacity.

Raw cotton (HS52) at $192.7m shows continuing global demand for Pakistani high-grade lint, particularly from China, Bangladesh and Turkey.

The mineral products group (HS Section 05) was the clear outperformer of February 2026, rising to $201.7 million from $177.6 million in January a gain of 13.6% month-on-month.

The primary driver was ores, slag and ash (HS26), which surged from $53.5m to $86.8m a 62% monthly jump and the strongest single-month reading in the category in recent memory.

This likely shows an acceleration in coal, chromite and other mineral ore shipments to export markets, potentially tied to infrastructure project demand and supply-chain catch-up effects.

Mineral fuels, oils and distillation products (HS27) remained broadly stable at $69.9m nearly identical to January's $70.0m suggesting consistent refinery throughput and petroleum product export volumes.

Salt, sulfur, lime and stone (HS25) contributed $45.0m, down from January's $54.0m, partially offsetting gains elsewhere in the mineral group.

Pakistan's agricultural export performance in February 2026 was headlined by a robust showing from the cereals category. The vegetable products group overall reached $261.9m up from $250.2m in January, a 4.6% gain.

Cereals (HS10) were the standout, jumping to $192.6m from $171.5m, a 12.3% month-on-month increase.

Pakistan's rice exports long a key agricultural foreign exchange earner appear to have maintained strong international demand, particularly in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia.

Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits (HS12) added $25.3m, broadly stable against January. Edible fruits and nuts (HS08) contributed $21.2m, while edible vegetables (HS07) generated $10.2m.

Coffee, tea, mate and spices (HS09) covering Pakistan's growing spice export trade added $8.2m. Milling industry products (HS11) accounted for $1.7m.

The prepared foodstuffs and tobacco group (HS Section 04) reached $92.2m, slightly ahead of January's $89.4m. Within it, beverages, spirits and vinegar (HS22) contributed $35.2m, up from $31.0m a sector that has shown consistent growth.

Sugars and confectionery (HS17) generated $13.3m, and tobacco products (HS24) contributed $12.7m, recovering from $8.7m in January.

Pakistan's leather sector (HS Section 08) recorded $68.0m in February, down from $73.8m in January.

The dominant sub-category was articles of leather, travel goods and handbags (HS42) at $52.9m showing Pakistan's globally recognized leather garment manufacturing industry, particularly in the Kasur and Sialkot clusters.

Raw hides, skins and leather (HS41) contributed $9.7m, while furskins and artificial fur (HS43) added $5.3m.

The miscellaneous manufactured articles group (HS Section 20) reached $49.5m, up from $46.0m in January (+7.6%), driven by furniture (HS94) at $20.3m and sporting goods toys, games and sports requisites (HS95) at $28.0m.

The latter shows Sialkot's globally significant sporting equipment manufacturing industry, particularly footballs, cricket gear and inflatable sports items.

Arms and ammunition (HS93) exports rose to $14.5m from $11.7m, continuing the defence exports momentum that has been building over recent months.

Optical, photographic and medical instruments (HS90) remained stable at $36.9m, showing Pakistan's growing surgical instruments export sector, also centred in Sialkot.

Paper and paperboard (HS48) showed a notable monthly increase to $6.8m from $3.6m, a 88% jump worth monitoring in future releases.

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