According to the data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), local cement despatches by the industry during December 2024 were 3.370 million tons compared to 3.539 million tons in December 2023, showing a decline of 4.76%. Exports despatch, however, increased by 49.35% as the volumes increased from 524,656 tons in December 2023 to 783,550 tons in December 2024. Total Cement despatches during December 2024 were 4.154 million tons against 4.063 million Tons despatched during the same month of last fiscal year, showing an increase of 2.23%.

In December 2024, North-based cement mills despatched 2.9 million tons of cement, a decline of 3.71% from the 3.012 million tons despatched in December 2023. South-based mills despatched 1.254 million tons of cement, 19.25% more than the 1.052 million tons in December 2023.

North-based cement mills despatched 2.786 million tons of cement in domestic markets in December 2024, a 5.11% decline from the 2.936 million tons despatched in December 2023. South-based mills despatched 584,684 tons of cement in local markets in December 2024, also 3.04% less than the 603,010 tons despatched in December 2023.

Exports from North-based mills increased by 50.18%, from 75,967 tons in December 2023 to 114,089 tons in December 2024. Exports from the South also increased by 49.20%, to 669,461 tons in December 2024 from 448,689 tons in the same month last year.

During the first six months of the current fiscal year, total cement despatches (domestic and exports) were 22.933 million tons, which is 3.97% lower than 23.881 million tons despatched during the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. Domestic despatches during this period were 18.122 million tons against 20.228 million tons during the same period the previous year, showing a reduction of 10.41%. Export despatches were 31.69% more as the volumes increased to 4.810 million tons during the first six months of the current fiscal year compared to 3.653 million tons of exports during the last fiscal year.

North-based Mills despatched 15.185 million tons of cement domestically during the first six months of the current fiscal year, showing a reduction of 9.46% from cement despatches of 16.772 million tons during July-December 2023. Exports from the North increased by 28.81% per cent to 992,413 tons during July-December 2024 compared with 770,470 tons exported during the same period last year. Total despatches by North-based Mills reduced by 7.78% to 16.177 million tons during the first six months of the current financial year from 17.542 million tons during the last financial year.

Domestic despatches by South-based Mills during July-December 2024 were 2.937 million tons, a reduction of 15.02% from the 3.456 million tons of cement despatched during the previous fiscal year. Exports from the South increased by 32.47% to 3.817 million tons during July-December 2024, compared with 2.882 million tons exported in the last year. Total despatches by South-based Mills increased by 6.57% to 6.755 million tons during the first six months of the current financial year from 6.339 million tons during the previous financial year.

APCMA spokesman expressed grave concerns over the continuous decline in local cement demand. He emphasized that local offtake plays a major role in the industry’s economic growth. “Reducing duties and taxes by the government can bring the cost of the commodity down, which can boost sales and enable the sector to use its idle capacity,” he added.