Pakistan Maintains Strong Cotton Yarn Trade with China

Experts see long-term gains from value-added exports to China

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

Pakistan Maintains Strong Cotton Yarn Trade with China


Pakistan’s cotton yarn exports to China reached $203.29 million in the first half of 2025, reflecting a 19% decrease from the $251.51 million recorded during the same period in 2024, according to the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). Despite the decline, trade between the two countries in this sector remains strong and significant.

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

Exports under commodity code 52051200—uncombed single cotton yarn—amounted to $112 million, compared to $144.85 million last year. This year, Pakistan shipped 46.48 million kilograms at an average price of $2.40 per kg. The country continues to hold its position as the second-largest exporter of this category after Vietnam.

Sajjad Mazahir, Director of Marketing at Keywin Trading Ltd., noted a shift in Pakistan’s cotton yarn industry from surplus-driven production to a brand-oriented approach. He acknowledged challenges such as high energy and logistics costs but emphasised that Pakistan’s cotton yarn remains highly competitive in China’s denim market due to its quality and pricing.

Mazahir described the export decline as a strategic adjustment, aided by the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA), which is boosting the export of value-added finished goods. He believes this transformation could unlock greater market opportunities for Pakistan in the coming years.