BEIJING: Pakistan’s mineral exports to China recorded strong growth in 2025, driven by rising demand from China’s manufacturing, infrastructure and clean energy sectors, according to Chinese customs data.
Figures released by China’s General Administration of Customs show copper exports and related products from Pakistan reached $1.14 billion last year, while copper ores and concentrates exceeded $11 million, highlighting copper’s expanding role in power networks, electronics and renewable technologies.
Aluminium ores and concentrates saw the sharpest increase, climbing from $0.29 million to $14.16 million, a rise of more than 4,700 percent. The surge reflects China’s growing use of aluminium in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and lightweight industrial manufacturing.
Other minerals also posted steady gains. Iron ores and concentrates crossed $101 million, while exports of zinc ores reached $110.9 million. Chromium ores stood at $89.43 million, supporting China’s stainless steel and alloy industries. Pakistan also exported aluminium products worth $30.35 million, according to customs data.
A senior official at Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce said the expansion points to stronger alignment between Pakistan’s mineral resources and China’s industrial demand, supported by improved logistics and long term commercial partnerships. The official added that connectivity under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor has helped reduce transport bottlenecks and improve export reliability.
Industry analysts say China’s sustained demand for copper, aluminium and iron inputs is being driven by grid expansion, energy transition and advanced manufacturing.
Ghulam Qadir, Trade and Investment Counsellor at Pakistan’s Embassy in China, said copper exports have emerged as a key growth driver. He noted that Pakistan imports scrap and compressors, refines high quality copper locally and exports finished ingots to China, a process that supports skilled employment across cities such as Gujranwala.
He added that Pakistan currently exports around $1 billion worth of copper annually to China and aims to increase this through greater value addition and supply chain cooperation.
Experts say future gains will depend on investment in mineral processing, quality certification and environmentally responsible mining, allowing Pakistan to move toward higher value exports and deeper integration with China’s industrial supply chains.
