ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cement shipments witnessed a mixed trend in December 2024, with domestic despatches declining by 4.76% while exports rose significantly. Data from the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) revealed that domestic despatch stood at 3.370 million tons in December 2024, down from 3.539 million tons in December 2023.
In contrast, exports rose by 49.35% to 783,550 tons compared to 524,656 tons in December 2023. Total cement shipments for December 2024 amounted to 4,154 million tons, which reflects a modest increase of 2.23% compared to 4,063 million tons recorded in December. 2023.
Regionally, North Mills recorded a decrease in total consignments by 3.71%, distributing 2.9 million tons compared to 3.012 million tons in December 2023. While total consignments from South Mills increased by 19.25%, reaching 1.254 million tons from 1.052 million tons. The previous year.
Domestic despatches in the North fell by 5.11% to 2.786 million tonnes from 2.936 million tonnes in December 2023. Likewise, Southern Mills recorded a decline in domestic despatches of 3.04%, falling to 584,684 tonnes from 603,010 tonnes.
Export performance paints a brighter picture. Northern Mills increased its exports by 50.18%, shipping 114,089 tons compared to 75,967 tons in December 2023. Southern Mills followed suit, as exports rose by 49.20% to 669,461 tons from 448,689 tons during the same period last year.
Total cement shipments (domestic and exported) during the first half of the fiscal year decreased by 3.97%, reaching 22.933 million tons, compared to 23.881 million tons during the same period last year.
Domestic shipments fell sharply by 10.41% to 18.122 million tons from 20.228 million tons. However, exports increased significantly by 31.69% to reach 4.810 million tons, compared to 3.653 million tons during the same period last year.
North Mills recorded a 9.46% decline in domestic despatch over the six-month period, with volumes falling to 15.185 million tonnes from 16.772 million tonnes. While its exports increased by 28.81%, reaching 992,413 tons, compared to 770,470 tons. Total shipments in the north decreased by 7.78% to 16.177 million tons.
In the south, local shipments decreased by 15.02% to 2.937 million tons from 3.456 million tons. Exports from the south increased by 32.47%, reaching 3.817 million tons, compared to 2.882 million tons. Total shipments from Southern Mills increased by 6.57% to 6.755 million tons.
An APCMA spokesperson expressed grave concern over the continuing decline in domestic demand for cement. “Local acquisition is critical to the growth of both the industry and the economy,” he said. He urged the government to reduce fees and taxes to reduce production costs, stimulate demand and allow the sector to benefit from its idle capacity.