Pakistan cement dispatches rise 6% in September as domestic demand strengthens

Pakistan's domestic cement dispatches rose 7.35% year-on-year in September, while exports remained broadly unchanged, data from the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) showed on Friday.

The figures point to stronger local demand at the start of the 2026-27 fiscal year.

How much did Pakistan cement dispatches rise in September?

Total cement dispatches, including domestic sales and exports, increased 5.95% to 4.621 million tons from 4.361 million tons a year earlier. Domestic dispatches rose to 3.788 million tons from 3.529 million tons, according to APCMA data. Exports were almost unchanged at 832,173 tons, compared with 831,966 tons in September 2025.

Which mills drove domestic cement demand in September?

The increase in domestic demand was recorded across both northern and southern-based cement manufacturers. Growth was significantly stronger among mills in the south.

North-based mills dispatched 3.164 million tons to the domestic market in September, up 4.72% from 3.021 million tons a year earlier. South-based mills posted a sharper increase, with domestic dispatches rising 22.98% to 624,833 tons from 508,077 tons.

How did northern and southern mills perform overall in September?

Overall dispatches by northern mills, including exports, fell 2.43% to 3.164 million tons from 3.242 million tons a year earlier. The decline was mainly due to the absence of exports from northern mills in September, compared with 221,252 tons a year earlier.

Southern mills dispatched 1.46 million tons during the month, up 30.23% from 1.12 million tons in September 2025. Their exports increased 36.26% to 832,173 tons from 610,714 tons.

How did cement dispatches perform in the first quarter of fiscal 2027?

For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, total cement dispatches increased 3.88% to 13.141 million tons from 12.651 million tons in the same period a year earlier. Domestic dispatches rose 7.79% to 10.845 million tons from 10.062 million tons, while exports fell 11.32% to 2.296 million tons from 2.589 million tons.

North-based mills dispatched 8.946 million tons to the domestic market during July-September, up 6.80% from 8.377 million tons a year earlier. However, northern mills recorded no exports during the quarter, compared with 661,866 tons in the same period last year. As a result, their total dispatches declined 1.02% to 8.946 million tons from 9.039 million tons.

Southern mills recorded growth in both domestic and export markets during the quarter. Domestic dispatches increased 12.71% to 1.899 million tons from 1.685 million tons, while exports rose 19.15% to 2.296 million tons from 1.927 million tons. Total dispatches by southern mills consequently increased 16.15% to 4.195 million tons from 3.612 million tons a year earlier.

What concerns did APCMA raise about the cement industry?

APCMA expressed concern over the decline in overall cement exports during the first quarter, as well as continued volatility in energy prices. It said this was creating challenges for the cement and allied industries.

An association spokesman said the industry hoped geopolitical tensions would ease soon. That, he said, would allow cement manufacturers and related industries to recover from the current difficult operating environment.