Pakistan’s exports to US edge up 4.44% to $1.72bn as imports surge 45%

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports to the United States rose 4.44 per cent to $1.716 billion in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, up from $1.643 billion in the same period last year, according to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan. The United States remains the largest market for Pakistani products, taking nearly 94 per cent of the country’s exports to North America.

Exports to North America as a whole grew 4.65 per cent to $1.826 billion in the July-September quarter, from $1.745 billion a year ago. Exports to Canada rose 7.53 per cent to $109.72 million. The modest rise in exports matters because it came despite additional tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, who has extended limited relief to Pakistan under a reciprocal arrangement.

Imports surge as Islamabad works to narrow the gap
Imports from North America, by contrast, surged 60.58 per cent to $841.31 million, from $523.91 million a year earlier. Imports from the United States alone jumped 45.44 per cent to $659.23 million, from $453.28 million. The rise reflects Islamabad’s efforts under its agreement with the US to ease the trade imbalance, with Pakistan buying more American goods. As a result, Pakistan’s trade surplus with the US narrowed to about $1.06 billion in the quarter, from about $1.19 billion a year earlier.

Last year’s picture, and what comes next
In the last fiscal year, FY26, exports to the US grew only 1.55 per cent to $6.125 billion, while imports from the US rose 38.93 per cent to $3.265 billion. Overall, Pakistan’s exports rose 7.65 per cent to $8.454 billion in the first quarter of FY27, while imports increased 14.30 per cent to $17.784 billion — a sign that Pakistani exports are also finding better traction in markets beyond America.