Cement dispatches showed a slight increase in Mar-26. Total Cement despatches during Mar-26 were 3.745 million tons against 3.712 million Tons despatched during the same month of the last fiscal year, showing an increase of 0.91%. According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, local cement despatches by the industry in Mar-26 were 3.097 million tons, down from 3.103 million tons in Mar-25, a decline of 0.20%. Exports dispatched, however, increased by 6.56%, as volumes jumped from 608,614 tons in Mar-25 to 648,564 tons in Mar-26.

In Mar-26, North-based cement mills dispatched 2.639 million tons of cement, up 3.07% from 2.561 million tons in Mar-25. South-based mills dispatched 1.11 million tons of cement during Mar-26, which was 3.89% lower than the dispatches of 1.151 million tons during Mar-25.

North-based cement mills dispatched 2.639 million tons of cement in domestic markets in Mar-26, showing an increase of 3.82% against 2.542 million tons dispatched in Mar-25. South-based mills dispatched 457,583 tons of cement to local markets during Mar-26, which was 18.40% lower than the di0,797 tons dispatched during Mar-25.

There were no exports from North-based mills during Mar-26. Exports from South increased by 9.91% to 648,564 tons in Mar-26 from 590,106 tons during the same month last year.

During the first nine months of the current fiscal year, total cement despatches (domestic and exports) were 38.54 million tons, 9.80% higher than the 35.1 million tons dispatched during the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. Domestic despatches during this period were 31.6 million tons, against 28.56 million tons during the same period last year, showing an increase of 10.61%. Export despatches were also 6.25% higher, as volumes rose to 6.94 million tons during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, compared to 6.53 million tons exported during the same period of the last fiscal year.

North-based Mills dispatched 26.384 million tons of cement domestically during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, an increase of 12.14% over the 23.527 million tons dispatched during July-24 to Mar-25. Exports from North declined by 28.54% percent to 800,360 tons during July 25 to Mar-26 compared with 1.12 million tons exported during the same period last year. Total despatches by North-based Mills increased by 10.29% to 27.184 million tons during the first nine months of the current financial year from 24.647 million tons during the same period of the last financial year.

Domestic despatches by South-based Mills from July 25 to March 26 were 5.216 million tons, an increase of 3.47% over the 5.041 million tons dispatched during the same period of the last fiscal year. Exports from South increased by 13.45% to 6.14 million tons during July-25 to Mar-26 compared with 5.412 million tons exported during the same period last year. Total despatches by South-based Mills increased by 8.64% to 11.356 million tons during the first nine months of the current financial year from 10.453 million tons during the same period of the last financial year.

A spokesman for the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association said that the current geopolitical tensions pose serious threats to the manufacturing sector. Cement is an energy-intensive industry, and the current volatility in oil and coal prices will have a serious effect due to cost escalations and supply chain disruptions. He applauded Pakistan’s role as a peacemaker to ease global tensions in the greater interest of all stakeholders.