Pakistan cement dispatches reach 3.75 million tons due to export gains

Cement dispatches increased 0.91% in March, reaching 3.75 million tons compared with 3.71 million tons in the same month last fiscal year, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

During March, export dispatches rose 6.56% to 648,564 tons from 608,614 tons a year earlier.

There were no exports from mills in Pakistan's northern region, while exports from southern mills increased by 9.91% year-on-year to 648,564 tons in March.

Local cement dispatches during March this year totaled 3.1 million tons, down 0.20% from 3.103 million tons in March 2025.

North-based cement mills dispatched 2.64 million tons in March this year, marking a 3.07% increase from 2.56 million tons in March 2025. South-based mills recorded a 3.89% decline in dispatches to 1.11 million tons, compared with 1.15 million tons in the same month last year.

In domestic markets, North-based mills dispatched 2.639 million tons in March, up 3.82% from 2.54 million tons a year earlier. South-based mills supplied 457,583 tons to local markets, an 18.40% decline from 560,797 tons in March 2025.

In February, total cement dispatches increased 12.53%, reaching 4.2 million tons.

During the first nine months of the current fiscal year (July–March), total cement dispatches, including domestic and exports, rose 9.80% to 38.54 million tons from 35.1 million tons in the same period last fiscal year.

Domestic dispatches during this period increased 10.61% to 31.6 million tons from 28.56 million tons. Export dispatches grew 6.25% to 6.94 million tons, compared with 6.53 million tons in the corresponding period last year.

North-based mills dispatched 26.38 million tons to domestic markets during the first nine months of the fiscal year, a 12.14% increase from 23.53 million tons in July–March FY25. However, exports from the North declined 28.54% to 800,360 tons from 1.12 million tons a year earlier. Total dispatches by North-based mills increased 10.29% to 27.18 million tons from 24.65 million tons.

South-based mills dispatched 5.22 million tons domestically during July–March FY26, up 3.47% from 5.04 million tons in the same period last fiscal year. Exports from the South rose 13.45% to 6.14 million tons from 5.41 million tons. Total dispatches by South-based mills increased 8.64% to 11.36 million tons from 10.45 million tons.

An APCMA spokesman said current geopolitical tensions are posing serious threats to the manufacturing sector. He noted that cement is an energy-intensive industry and that ongoing volatility in oil and coal prices could significantly affect costs and disrupt supply chains. He also applauded Pakistan's role as a peacemaker in easing global tensions in the interest of all stakeholders.