# Pakistan's exports up 7.7% to $8.5 billion in July to September; imports jump 14.1% to $17.8 billion

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/economy/pakistans-exports-up-77percent-to-dollar85-billion-in-july-to-september-imports)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 30 Oct 2026
Updated: 30 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 30 Oct 2026

> September alone brought in $3 billion of exports, up 15.5%, the Finance Ministry's monthly outlook says. Imports grew faster, which keeps pressure on the rupee.

**Pakistan's exports rose 7.7% to $8.5 billion in the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year (July to September), but imports grew almost twice as fast, up 14.1% to $17.8 billion**, according to the Finance Ministry's monthly economic outlook, [ARY News reported](https://arynews.tv/pakistans-exports-rise-7-7-percent-to-8-5-billion-in-first-quarter) on 29 October.

## The numbers

| Period | Exports | Change | Imports | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July to September 2026 | $8.5 billion | +7.7% | $17.8 billion | +14.1% |
| September 2026 | $3.0 billion | +15.5% | $6.2 billion | +22.7% |

On those figures the goods trade gap for the quarter is about **$9.3 billion** (our calculation: imports minus exports), or roughly Rs 2.57 trillion at today's interbank rate of about Rs 276.76 to the dollar. September's gap alone was about $3.2 billion.

## Why it matters

Exports are what earn the dollars Pakistan uses to pay for imports. When imports grow faster, the gap has to be covered by remittances, loans or reserves, and that is what decides whether the rupee holds steady. A strong September for exports is good news, but September imports grew by 22.7%, the faster of the two.

Part of the import rise is fuel. With LNG short, more diesel and furnace oil had to be bought for power plants, which also feeds into electricity bills (see our story on the [Rs 2.56 per unit fuel adjustment sought for November](/news/economy/electricity-bills-rs-256-per-unit-fuel-adjustment-sought-for-november-as)). Earlier this week the government also ordered a five-year plan to lift [kinnow exports](/news/business/kinnow-exports-govt-orders-a-5-year-roadmap-in-15-days-plans-daily-iran-convoys).

The ministry's report did not break the totals down by product. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics publishes the detailed trade figures each month.

## What to watch

- **The dollar rate:** follow it on our [USD to PKR page](/data/usd-pkr), and convert any amount with the [currency converter](/tools/finance/currency-converter).
- **Inflation:** the Finance Ministry expects October inflation at [9.5% to 10.5%](/news/economy/october-inflation-forecast-at-95percent-to-105percent-finance-ministry-expects); the latest reading is on our [CPI page](/data/cpi-yoy).

## Frequently asked questions

**How much did Pakistan export in July to September 2026?**

$8.5 billion, up 7.7% on a year earlier, according to the Finance Ministry. Imports were $17.8 billion, up 14.1%.

## Sources

- Pakistan's exports rise 7.7 percent to $8.5 billion in first quarter (29 Oct 2026) (ARY News): https://arynews.tv/pakistans-exports-rise-7-7-percent-to-8-5-billion-in-first-quarter

How to cite: "Pakistan's exports up 7.7% to $8.5 billion in July to September; imports jump 14.1% to $17.8 billion", Searchable, 30 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/economy/pakistans-exports-up-77percent-to-dollar85-billion-in-july-to-september-imports