Textile: Exports plunge by 20% MoM, Imports up by 26% MoM in Aug’20

September 21, 2020 (MLN): The export earnings from the textile group witnessed a decrease of 15.35% YoY and 20.38% MoM to stand at $1 billion in the month of August’20. While, the imports of the textile group into the country were recorded at $218 million, showing an increase of around 38.45% YoY and 25.97% MoM when compared to the same period of last year and last month respectively.

The new waves of coronavirus in Europe and the USA led to a decrease in the trade volume of textile exports of Pakistan by 0.98% to $2.280 billion during Jul-Aug FY21 when compared to $2.302 billion recorded during Jul-Aug FY20.

According to the research by Intermarket Securities, the decline in exports can be attributed to the unprecedented torrential monsoon rains, which affected all transport and port activities in Karachi. Another reason was the unusual number of public holidays during the month – Eid holidays at the end of July and beginning of August, Ashura, and Independence Day.

According to the latest data issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on export receipts by commodities, the textile products remained the major exportable goods for Pakistan as it shares 63.61% in total exports during Jul-Aug FY21. Moreover, it is the crucial sector as it is a vital source of employment and production.

The textile group accounted for 5.59% of the total imports during Jul-Aug FY21 as per the data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, showing a growth of 21.09% YoY to clock in at $391 million.

On the exports front, within the textile group, the major exportable goods include Knitwear, Readymade Garments, Bed wears, and Cotton Cloth.

The exports of the Cotton Cloth went down by 9.24% YoY to $294 billion. However, exports of Knitwear, Readymade Garments, and Bed wear witnessed an increase of 4.43%, 2.05%, and 5.93%, YoY to stand at $564 million, $477 million, and $424 million respectively during Jul-Aug FY21.

Meanwhile, the data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics revealed that imports of synthetic fibre decreased by 5.42% YoY, valued at $84 million during Jul-Aug FY21 while synthetic and artificial silk yarn jumped by 8.57% to stand at $78 million during the said period.

It is worth highlighting that the raw cotton import bill soared by 3.55 times YoY to $119 million. However, the export trading value of raw cotton plunged by 97% YoY to $233 thousand during Jul-Aug FY21.

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