Pakistan’s cement industry saw a 5.58% year-on-year increase in dispatches during November 2024, with total volumes reaching 4.146 million tonnes compared to 3.927 million tonnes in November 2023, according to data from the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA). Local dispatches rose marginally by 2.39%, with 3.342 million tonnes sold compared to 3.264 million tonnes in the same month last year. Export dispatches, however, demonstrated robust growth, increasing by 21.27% to 803,258 tonnes from 662,374 tonnes in November 2023.
North-based cement mills recorded a 2.01% increase in total dispatches, reaching 2.925 million tonnes. Domestic sales in the region edged up 1.23%, hitting 2.757 million tonnes, while exports surged by 16.90% to 168,265 tonnes. South-based mills outperformed with a significant 15.21% rise in total dispatches, reaching 1.220 million tonnes. Local sales grew by 8.24% to 585,689 tonnes, and exports surged 22.48% to 634,993 tonnes, underscoring the region’s expanding contribution to international markets.
Despite the November growth, the first five months of the fiscal year (July-November 2024) saw total dispatches decline by 5.24% year-on-year to 18.779 million tonnes. Domestic dispatches dropped 11.61% to 14.752 million tonnes, reflecting weaker local demand. However, exports climbed by an impressive 28.73%, reaching 4.027 million tonnes. North-based mills experienced an 8.62% decline in total dispatches to 13.278 million tonnes during this period. Meanwhile, South-based mills saw a 4.05% increase in total dispatches, primarily driven by a 29.38% surge in exports, which rose to 3.148 million tonnes. An APCMA spokesperson highlighted the industry’s potential to boost domestic sales if the government reduces duties and taxes. “Lower costs would increase demand and help utilise the sector’s idle capacity,” the spokesperson said, urging for reforms to support the industry.
