ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s merchandise exports to North America increased by 3.21 per cent to $4.411 billion during the first eight months of 2025-26 compared to $4.274bn in the same period last year.

The uptick was driven by higher shipments to the US, indicating a strengthening trade relationship between Islamabad and Washington, despite a decline in exports to Canada during the period under review.

The US remained the dominant market, accounting for nearly 95pc of Pakistan’s total exports to North America, with the remaining share going mainly to Canada and other countries.

In FY25, Pakistan’s merchandise exports to North America rose by 9.97pc to $6.415bn, up from $5.833bn in the corresponding period of the previous year, driven mainly by higher textile and clothing shipments to the United States, according to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan.

Within the region, exports to the United States increased to $4.156bn during the first eight months of FY26, up from $4.011bn a year earlier, reflecting growth of 3.62pc.

In FY25, exports to the US stood at $6.028bn, up 10.72pc from $5.444bn in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Pakistan’s exports to Canada recorded a negative growth of 2.64pc to $226.28m in 7MFY26 from $232.42m over the corresponding months of last year. In FY25, Pakistan’s exports to Canada stood at $254.35m, down 3.26pc from $262.92m in the previous year.

Imports from North America rose 34.4pc to $2.239bn in 8MFY26 from $1.663bn a year ago. Imports from North America surged 26.98pc to $2.588bn in FY25 from $2.038bn the preceding year. Maximum imports originated from the US.

Under the new agreement, Pakistan will import an additional $2.5bn worth of goods from the US to balance the trade deficit in the current fiscal year. As a result of this agreement, imports from the region, especially the US, posted an impressive growth.

Imports from the US rose 27.78pc to $1.918bn in 8MFY26 from $1.501bn in the corresponding months of last year.

In the same region, Pakistan’s export to Latin America stood at $48.67m in 8MFY26 against $48.54m over the previous year, indicating a paltry growth of 0.26pc. Pakistan’s exports to Latin America stood at $73.521m in FY25, down 7.52pc from $79.502m in the previous year.

Pakistan’s exports to Central America stood at $113.10m in 8MFY26 from $113.77m over the previous year, a decline of 0.58pc. In Central America, Pakistan’s main export destination is Mexico, which fell by 4.35pc to $83.37m in 8MFY26 from $87.16m over the corresponding months of last year.

According to SBP data, Pakistan’s exports to South America — Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, etc., stood at $271.52m in 8MFY26 from $227.23m over the corresponding months of last year, showing a growth of 19.49pc.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2026