Pakistan’s exports to China recorded a significant increase of 48.7 percent during the first five months of 2026, reaching over $1.55 billion compared to $1.04 billion during the same period last year, according to data released by China’s General Administration of Customs.
The growth added more than $507 million in export earnings and marked one of the strongest performances in Pakistan-China trade in recent years.
Copper products remained Pakistan’s top export to China, accounting for 43.7 percent of total shipments. Exports of copper products rose to $675 million from $393 million a year earlier, registering a 71.7 percent increase and serving as the main driver of overall export growth.
Exports maintained strong momentum throughout the period, with March 2026 recording the highest monthly exports at $361.6 million, compared to $196.2 million in March 2025. The increase was supported by strong copper shipments and the start of the rice export season. Exports remained high in April and May, reaching $331 million and $286 million respectively.
Among Chinese regions, Zhejiang Province remained the largest destination for Pakistani goods, importing products worth $480.7 million, a 40 percent increase from last year. The growth was largely driven by demand from copper-processing industries.
Beijing recorded the fastest growth, with imports from Pakistan rising from $101 million to $232 million as government procurement agencies increased purchases of Pakistani rice and sesame seeds.
The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region also posted strong growth, with imports tripling to $53 million, supported by expanding land-route trade under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Officials said the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement continues to strengthen bilateral trade, with $2.16 billion worth of Pakistan’s exports in 2024-25 benefiting from preferential tariff concessions. Negotiations for CPFTA Phase III are currently underway and are expected to further improve market access for Pakistani products, particularly in agriculture, textiles, halal meat and minerals.
In a separate development, Pakistan has exported 2,000 buffalo embryos to Royal Cell Biotechnology in China’s Guangxi region under a material transfer agreement between Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research and China’s Royal Group.
The shipment follows earlier exports of 10,000 buffalo embryos valued at $2 million, which were delivered in phases.
Officials expect China’s demand for Pakistani buffalo genetic material to grow substantially in the coming years, with potential imports reaching as many as 300,000 embryos.
Experts say the growing interest is driven by rising demand for buffalo milk in China, where Pakistani buffalo breeds are highly valued for their milk quality and productivity. The partnership is also expected to support livestock breeding through advanced biotechnology.
Royal Cell Biotechnology, a subsidiary of Royal Group, is currently the only publicly listed buffalo milk processing company in China, underscoring the importance of the collaboration for the dairy industry.
