ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports to European countries recorded a year-on-year growth of 5.66 per cent in the first four months of 2025-26, driven primarily by increased shipments to southern, eastern and northern European states.

In absolute terms, export earnings from the European Union (EU) rose to $3.174 billion in July-October, up from $3.004bn over the corresponding months of last year, according to figures compiled and released by the State Bank of Pakistan on Monday.

In FY25, the exports to the EU rose 7.44pc to $8.863bn up from $8.249bn in the previous fiscal year.

The uptick was due to a slight increase in demand for Pakistani goods, mainly textile and clothing products, in western, eastern and northern Europe.

In FY24, Pakistan’s exports to the EU dipped 3.12pc to $8.240bn despite its GSP+ status, which allows duty-free entry into most European markets.

Western Europe, which includes countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Belgium, accounts for the largest share of Pakistan’s exports to the EU. Exports to this region declined slightly by 0.2pc to $1.491bn in 4MFY26, up from $1.494bn in FY25.

There is also a slight increase in exports to eastern, northern and northern Europe. Exports to northern Europe rose 9.84pc to $257.388m in 4MFY26, up from $234.322m in the corresponding months last year.

Exports to southern Europe grew by 12.19pc to $1.159bn in 4MFY26, from $1.033bn in the corresponding period last year.

In this region, exports to Spain recorded paltry growth of 11.35pc to $533.37 million in 4MFY26, from $479.01m in the preceding year.

Exports to Italy increased 9.07pc to $431.02m in 4MFY26 compared to $395.15m in the same period last year. Exports to Greece recorded a 4.27pc decline to $45.02m during the months under review, compared with $47.03m over the previous year.

However, exports to eastern Europe grew 10.03pc to $267.071m in 4MFY26 from $242.735m in the corresponding period last year.

Before Brexit, Pakistan’s major export destination was the United Kingdom. In the post-Brexit period, Pakistan’s exports to the UK slightly decreased to $752.97m in 4MFY26 from $760.834 over the corresponding period last year, a decline of 1.03pc.

In FY25, Pakistan’s exports to the UK increased by 7.19pc to $2.160bn from $2.015bn in the preceding year.

Pakistan’s exports to western Europe declined slightly by 0.2pc to $1.491bn in 4MFY26, from $1.494bn last year.

Exports to Germany surged 2.39pc to $594.29m in 4MFY26 from $580.41m. Similarly, exports to the Netherlands, the second-largest market for Pakistani goods, increased 0.54pc to $504.88m in 4MFY26 from $502.15m over the corresponding period last year.

Exports to France fell by 3.28pc to $183.02m in 4MFY26 from $189.24m, followed by a 5.69pc decline to Belgium’s $196.55m against $208.41m.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2025