Pakistan Garments Exports: Readymade Garments at $3.2B — the Value-Added Star
Readymade garments are Pakistan’s fastest-growing textile line: $3.2B in FY26, up 3.8%, while raw cloth shrank. This guide covers the garment surge — knitwear, woven apparel, and the factories behind them.
Quick answer: Pakistan’s readymade garment exports reached $3.2B in FY2025–26 (+3.8%) — the only major textile category with real growth. Knitwear (T-shirts, polos, fleece) was $3.7B (−1.1%). Buyers: USA, EU (GSP+), UK.
The growth story
While cotton cloth fell 10.9% and knitwear slipped 1.1%, readymade garments grew 3.8% to $3.2B — “largely driven by higher export volumes” (Economic Survey 2025–26). July 2026 accelerated: garments +$15% to $128M in a single month. The message: the world wants Pakistan’s finished apparel, not its fabric.
Knitwear vs woven
- Knitwear ($3.7B): T-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, fleece — Pakistan’s single biggest apparel line, though FY26 volumes moderated.
- Woven garments ($3.2B): denim, trousers, shirts — the growth engine; denim washing/processing is a Pakistani strength.
The factory belt
Garment factories cluster in Karachi (knitwear giants), Lahore/Faisalabad (woven, denim) and Sialkot (sportswear). Compliance — SEDEX, WRAP, OEKO-TEX audits — is the ticket to Western retail contracts; Pakistan’s large compliant factories compete directly with Bangladesh on quality, if not always on price.
What’s next
The runway: man-made fibres (polyester/athleisure — where Bangladesh leads), design capability (moving from CMT cut-make-trim to full-package), and near-shoring as Western buyers diversify from China. Garments are the proof that Pakistan can climb the value chain — the rest of the basket should follow. Context: textile exports · export hub.
Garments: FAQs
How much do Pakistan’s garment exports earn?
$3.2B in FY2025–26 (+3.8%); knitwear adds $3.7B.
What garments does Pakistan export?
Knitwear (T-shirts, polos, fleece), denim, trousers, shirts and sportswear.
Who buys Pakistani garments?
USA, EU (duty-free under GSP+) and UK retailers.
Why are garments growing while cloth shrinks?
Buyers want finished apparel; Pakistan’s compliant factories win full-package orders while intermediate fabric demand weakens.
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