IslamabadCement sales in Pakistan rose by 5.58% in November 2024, with total despatches reaching 4.146 million tons compared to 3.927 million tons during the same month last fiscal year, according to the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA). Growth was supported by steady domestic sales and a strong rise in exports.
Domestic cement sales witnessed a slight increase by 2.39%, as 3.342 million tons were exported compared to 3.264 million tons in November 2023. While export consignments recorded a noticeable increase of 21.27%, rising from 662,374 tons in November 2023 to 803,258 tons in November 2024.
Northern Cement factories produced 2.925 million tons in November 2024, an increase of 2.01%, compared to 2.867 million tons in November 2023. Local shipments from these mills amounted to 2.757 million tons, an increase of 1.23% compared to 2.723 million tons in the previous year. . Exports from the northern region also increased by 16.90%, as shipments increased from 143,942 tons in November 2023 to 168,265 tons in November 2024.
Southern Mills recorded a stronger performance, with total deliveries rising by 15.21% to 1,220 million tons in November 2024 from 1,060 million tons during the same month last year. Domestic sales from the southern region increased by 8.24% to 585,689 tons, while exports increased by 22.48% to reach 634,993 tons, compared to 518,432 tons in November 2023.
During the first five months of the current fiscal year, total cement shipments, including domestic sales and exports, decreased by 5.24%, reaching 18.779 million tons, compared to 19.818 million tons during the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. Domestic shipments decreased by 11.61% to 14.752 million tons, compared to 16.690 million tons during the same period last year. On the other hand, export shipments recorded a significant growth of 28.73%, reaching 4.027 million tons, compared to 3.128 million tons during the same period of the previous year.
Northern factories recorded a decline in total shipments during the first five months of the fiscal year by 8.62% to 13.278 million tons, compared to 14.531 million tons in the same period last year. Domestic sales in the northern region decreased by 10.39%, while exports increased by 26.47% to 878,324 tons.
Factories in the South witnessed a sharp decline in local sales by 17.55% to 2.353 million tons, compared to 2.853 million tons during the same period last year. While exports from the southern region increased by 29.38% to reach 3.148 million tons. Overall, total shipments from the southern region increased by 4.05% to 5.501 million tons during the first five months of the fiscal year.
An APCMA spokesperson commented on the growth potential of the industry, stressing the need for government intervention to reduce duties and taxes. The spokesman stated that this would reduce costs for end consumers, boost demand, and enable the sector to benefit from its idle capacity.