Cement despatches declined by 16.55% in April 2023. Total Cement despatches during April 2023 were 2.951 million tons against 3.536 Million Tons despatched during the same month of last fiscal year. According to the data released by the All-Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, local cement despatches by the industry during the month of April 2023 were 2.531 million tons compared to 3.380 million tons in April 2022, showing a decline of 25.13%. Export despatches increased by 168.61% as the volumes increased from 156,613 tons in April 2022 to 420,677 tons in April 2023.

In April 2023, North-based cement mills despatched 2.193 million tons of cement, showing a decline of 23.54% against 2.868 million tons of despatches in April 2022. South-based mills despatched 0.758 million tons of cement during April 2023, which was 13.44% more compared to the despatches of 0.669 million tons during April 2022.

North-based cement mills despatched 2.109 million tons of cement in domestic markets in April 2023, showing a decline of 24.85% against 2.806 million tons of despatches in April 2022. South-based mills despatched 422,071 tons of cement in local markets in April 20whichhat was 26.47% less than the despatches of 573,975 during April 2022.

Exports from North-based mills increased by 35.93% as the quantities increased from 61,971 tons in April 2022 to 84,238 tons in April 2023. Exports from the South also increased by 255.49% to 336,439 tons in April 2023 from 94,642 tons during the same month last year (SPLY).

During the first ten months of the current fiscal year, total cement despatches (domestic and exports) were 36.551 million tons which is 17.50% lower than 44.306 million tons despatched during the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Domestic despatches during this period were 33.095 million tons against 39.506 million tons during SPLY, showing a reduction of 16.23%. Export despatches were also 27.99% less as the volumes reduced to 3.456 million tons during the first ten months of the current fiscal year compared to 4.800 million tons exports done during (SPLY).

North-based Mills despatched 27.157 million tons of cement domestically during the first ten months of the current fiscal year showing a reduction of 17.06% from cement despatches of 32.743 million tons during July-April 2022. Exports from the North increased by 16.35% to 862,675 tons during July-April 2023 compared with 741,452 tons exported during the same period last year. Total despatches by North-based Mills reduced by 16.32% to 28.019 million tons during the first ten months of the financial year from 33.485 million tons during the SPLY.

Domestic despatches by South-based Mills during July-April 2023 were 5.938 million tons showing a reduction of 12.19% over 6.763 million tons of cement despatched during the same period of last fiscal year. Exports from the South declined by 36.09% to 2.593 million tons during July-April 2023 compared with 4.058 million tons exported during the same period last year. Total despatches by South-based Mills reduced by 21.15% to 8.532 million tons during the first ten months of the financial year from 10.821 million tons during SPLY.

All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association spokesman said the current economic turmoil has badly impacted cement consumption.