Cement industry shows modest growth despite slowdown in demand

Domestic cement despatches, which had shown an 11.64% sequential increase in January 2025 after many months of negative momentum, did not pick up as expected during February 2025.

According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), Total cement despatches during February 2025 were 3.596 million tons, compared to 3.265 million tons despatched during the same month of the previous fiscal year, showing an increase of 10.15%.

Local cement despatches by the industry during February 2025 were 3.065 million tons compared to 2.869 million tons in February 2024, showing an increase of 6.82%.

Export despatches, however, increased by 34.30% as the volumes jumped from 395,935 tons in February 2024 to 531,736 tons in February 2025.

During the first eight months of the current fiscal year, total cement despatches (domestic and export) were 30.423 million tons, which is 0.45% lower than the 30.560 million tons despatched during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Domestic despatches during this period were 24.5 million tons compared to 26.06 million tons during the same period last year, showing a reduction of 6.00%.

Export despatches during this period increased by 31.78% as the quantities rose to 5.924 million tons compared to 4.495 million tons exported during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

A spokesman for the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association mentioned that they expect industry-friendly measures by the government in the upcoming budget to increase the sector’s capacity utilization.

He added that the cement industry attracts many allied industries and plays a pivotal role in the overall economic uplift of the country.