Pakistan Trade Deficit June 2026 Widens to $4.53 Billion as Imports Surge
Pakistan’s trade deficit widened sharply in June 2026 after imports surged while exports declined, highlighting growing pressure on the country’s external sector.
According to provisional data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the trade deficit increased by 63.76% month-on-month (MoM) to $4.53 billion in June, compared with $2.77 billion recorded in May 2026.
The widening gap was primarily driven by a steep increase in imports alongside a notable decline in exports during the month.
Exports Fall While Imports Jump
Pakistan’s exports dropped to $2.24 billion in June 2026, registering a 16.73% month-on-month decline from $2.69 billion in May.
In contrast, imports climbed significantly to $6.77 billion, reflecting a 24.07% increase from $5.45 billion in the previous month.
The combination of falling exports and rising imports pushed the monthly trade deficit to $4.53 billion, marking one of the largest monthly trade gaps in recent months.
Trade Gap Widens Compared With Last Year
On a year-on-year (YoY) basis, Pakistan’s external trade performance also weakened.
Exports declined by 9.61% from $2.48 billion recorded in June 2025.
Meanwhile, imports increased by 26.27% from $5.36 billion in the same month last year.
As a result, the trade deficit expanded by 57.11% year-on-year, rising from $2.88 billion in June 2025 to $4.53 billion in June 2026.
The latest figures indicate mounting pressure on Pakistan’s external account as import growth continues to outpace export earnings.
FY26 Trade Deficit Crosses $39 Billion
The cumulative figures for the fiscal year also reflected a deterioration in the country’s trade balance.
During July 2025 to June 2026 (FY26), Pakistan’s total exports stood at $30.13 billion, representing a 5.97% decline compared with $32.04 billion in FY25.
At the same time, cumulative imports increased 7.89% to $69.60 billion, up from $64.51 billion in the previous fiscal year.
Consequently, the overall trade deficit widened to $39.47 billion, an increase of 21.57% compared with $32.47 billion recorded during the corresponding period of FY25.
External Sector Faces Fresh Challenges
The latest PBS data highlights renewed challenges for Pakistan’s external sector as rising imports continue to outstrip export growth.
A widening trade deficit increases pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves and current account balance. Economists will closely monitor whether export performance improves in the coming months or whether higher import demand continues to widen the external imbalance.
The June figures underscore the importance of strengthening export competitiveness while managing import growth to maintain external sector stability.