Summary Pakistan's trade deficit rose 26 percent in July as imports surged 19 percent, led by machinery, food, vehicles and metals.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Pakistan's trade deficit increased by 26 percent in July, the first month of fiscal year 2026-27, as imports surged 19 percent, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The data showed increased imports of food commodities, vehicles and transport equipment, machinery, textiles, agricultural machinery, chemicals and metals.
Food imports amounted to $805.4 million in July, equivalent to more than Rs224 billion. Imports of milk and cream for infants rose 25 percent to $18.7 million, while spices, soybean, palm oil, sugar and pulses were also imported. The country also imported 112 metric tons of sugar during the month.
Machinery imports recorded a 41 percent increase, reaching $1.31 billion. The imported machinery included power-generation, office, textile, agricultural, construction and telecommunications equipment.
Imports of vehicles and other transport equipment increased 40 percent to $420 million. Meanwhile, imports of raw cotton and other textile products rose 15 percent to $680 million.
Imports of agricultural machinery and chemicals increased 23 percent, with their combined import bill exceeding $1 billion. Imports of various metals, including gold, steel and iron, also rose 23 percent.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the import bill for precious metals exceeded $730 million.
The increase in imports across several sectors during July consequently pushed Pakistan's trade deficit up by 26 percent, underscoring continued pressure from the country's import bill.
