Pakistan's Trade Surplus with US Smashes Record — Crosses $2.5 Billion in FY26

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan registered its highest-ever trade surplus with the United States in fiscal year 2025-26, ending the year with a trade surplus of $2.59 billion. This development signifies that there is a rising demand for Pakistan’s exports in the US, the most significant export market for Pakistan. The surplus was more than double the previous high of around $1.3 billion recorded in the preceding fiscal year.

According to industry sources, Pakistan registered exports amounting to $5.91 billion to the US during fiscal year 2025-26. Meanwhile, Pakistan imported goods worth $3.32 billion from the US during the same fiscal year. The difference between both these numbers resulted in an unprecedented trade surplus of $2.59 billion for Pakistan.

This is the result of sustained growth in exports from Pakistan to the US. Historically, Pakistan has relied heavily upon textiles, clothing, leather, and agriculture exports for generating its exports. Economists always highlight these sectors whenever asked about Pakistan's ability to generate higher sales in comparison to purchases from the US market.

Pakistan's Trade Surplus: Five-Year Trend Shows Consistent Growth

Additional sources indicate that Pakistan’s total exports to the US have amounted to $29.15 billion within the past five years, whereas the total value of its imports from the US has been around $12.12 billion, resulting in an aggregate trade surplus for the country with the United States of well over $17 billion in the past five years.

This consistent surplus indicates a long-term structural edge over the US market for Pakistani products instead of any temporary boom phase. As per commerce ministry officials, Pakistan’s trade surplus with the US has remained consistent every year over the past five years, indicating strong export performance towards the US market.

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The increasing trade surplus between Pakistan and the USA goes further than simple accounting entries. An increase in foreign exchange reserves, strengthening the currency, and international confidence in Pakistan’s exports of manufacturing goods and agriculture products have been achieved due to the increasing trade deficit with the United States.

Pakistan faces persistent challenges with its balance of payments position. Therefore, such an increase in trade surplus with a key economy provides some financial flexibility. The success of maintaining this trend relies upon Pakistan’s capacity to widen its range of products and compete against neighboring economies seeking access to the US market, including Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce cited the cumulative trade surplus of the last five years to demonstrate growing economic cooperation between Islamabad and Washington. The consistent trend in exports has been complemented by relatively lower import levels from the US to ensure that the overall trade balance continued to remain favorable to Pakistan during the entire period.

Pakistan has recorded an unprecedented trade surplus during the current fiscal year (FY25/26), raising questions regarding its sustainability going forward into the coming fiscal year. The future performance of Pakistan's trade surplus vis-a-vis the US is dependent on how much the country invests in industries targeting exports alongside obtaining preferential conditions in international business deals.