Pakistan’s cement exports surge 34.56% in April as domestic demand stagnates

Pakistan's cement industry witnessed a notable uptick in exports in April 2025, while domestic sales remained subdued, according to the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

Local cement dispatches totaled 2.516 million tons, marking a 7.64% increase from 2.337 million tons in April 2024. However, export shipments surged 34.56%, rising from 614,214 tons last year to 826,457 tons in April 2025. Overall cement dispatches stood at 3.342 million tons, reflecting a 13.24% growth compared to 2.951 million tons in April 2024.

North-based mills dispatched 2.239 million tons, up 7.22%, while South-based mills saw a sharper 27.81% rise, reaching 1.10 million tons in April 2025.

Despite the export boom, domestic demand remained weak, particularly in the South, where local dispatches declined by 0.95%, totaling 391,445 tons. North-based domestic shipments, however, showed a 9.39% increase, reaching 2.124 million tons.

Export trends were mixed, with North-based mills witnessing a 21.64% decline to 114,467 tons, while South-based mills reported a 52.09% surge, reaching 711,990 tons.

In the first ten months of the fiscal year, total cement dispatches fell 0.32% to 37.336 million tons from 37.454 million tons last year. Domestic sales dropped 5.55%, while exports climbed 28.77% to 7.359 million tons.

An APCMA spokesperson acknowledged the industry's strong export performance but noted that domestic demand was insufficient to fully utilize capacity, leaving about one-third of production idle. The association urged the government to introduce industry-friendly policies in the upcoming budget to stimulate construction activity and enhance Pakistan’s cement competitiveness in global markets.