Islamabad: Exports in April 2025 declined by 8.93 percent, totaling $2.141 billion against $2.351 billion in the same month last year. Nine month exports were higher than last year.
On a year-on-year (YoY) basis, the trade figures for April 2025 continued to reflect stress in the external sector.
The trade deficit widened by 35.79 percent, standing at $3.388 billion compared to $2.495 billion in April 2024.
Conversely, imports witnessed a YoY increase of 14.09 percent in April 2025, rising to $5.529 billion compared to $4.846 billion in April 2024.
Pakistan’s external trade performance for the first ten months (July–April) of the fiscal year 2024-25 showed a mixed trend, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The country’s exports increased by 6.25 percent, reaching $26.859 billion compared to $25.278 billion during the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Despite the increase in exports, the trade deficit widened by 8.81 percent during the July-April period, rising to $21.351 billion from $19.622 billion recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.
This expansion in the trade gap was primarily due to a notable rise in imports, which grew by 7.37 percent to $48.210 billion during the review period, up from $44.9 billion recorded in the same span last fiscal year.
The trade data for April 2025 indicates a significant monthly deterioration in the trade balance.
The country’s trade deficit widened sharply by 55.20 percent on a month-on-month (MoM) basis, reaching $3.388 billion compared to $2.183 billion in March 2025.
This spike in the deficit was largely driven by a decline in exports and a simultaneous surge in imports.
Exports in April dropped by 19.05 percent to $2.141 billion from $2.645 billion in March, while imports increased by 14.52 percent to $5.529 billion compared to $4.828 billion in the previous month.
These figures highlight a growing imbalance in the trade structure, with import growth consistently outpacing export performance, raising concerns about the sustainability of the country’s external accounts.
Key Highlights:
Cumulative (July–April FY2024-25):
- Exports:
Increased by 6.25% YoY to $26.859 billion (vs $25.278 billion in FY23-24). - Imports:
Increased by 7.37% YoY to $48.210 billion (vs $44.9 billion). - Trade Deficit:
Widened by 8.81% to $21.351 billion (vs $19.622 billion).
Monthly Snapshot – April 2025 vs March 2025 (MoM):
- Exports:
Dropped sharply by 19.05% to $2.141 billion (from $2.645 billion). - Imports:
Rose by 14.52% to $5.529 billion (from $4.828 billion). - Trade Deficit:
Jumped 55.20% to $3.388 billion (from $2.183 billion).
April 2025 vs April 2024 (YoY):
- Exports:
Fell 8.93% YoY. - Imports:
Grew 14.09% YoY. - Trade Deficit:
Widened 35.79% YoY.
