Pakistan’s cement sales decline for the fourth consecutive month

The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) has reported a fourth consecutive month of declining cement dispatches.

In September, cement sales fell by 5.63% to 3.54 million tons, compared to 3.751 million tons in the same month last fiscal year. Local cement sales experienced a significant drop of 18.02%, falling to 2.65 million tons from 3.233 million tons in September last year.

Conversely, export dispatches saw a substantial increase of 71.52%, rising from 570,692 tons last September to 978,871 tons this year. Despite this export growth, the overall performance of the cement industry remains concerning.

During the first quarter of the current fiscal year, total cement dispatches, including both domestic and exports, decreased by 13.59% to 10.269 million tons, down from 11.885 million tons in the same period last year. Domestic dispatches dropped by 19.78% to 8.130 million tons, while export dispatches grew by 22.19% to 2.140 million tons.

An APCMA spokesman expressed disappointment over the ongoing decline in capacity utilization, warning that the industry is nearing a crisis. He urged the government to provide relief in duties and taxes to reduce production costs, which could boost domestic demand and enhance the competitiveness of Pakistani cement in international markets. This, he argued, would help the industry tap into more opportunities to earn foreign exchange for the country.