Cement dispatches increased by 12.53% in Feb-26. Total Cement despatches during Feb-26 were 4.199 million tons against 3.732 million Tons despatched during the same month of the last fiscal year. According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), local cement despatches by the industry during Feb-26 were 3.467 million tons, up 8.35% from 3.2 million tons in Feb-25. Exports dispatches also increased by 37.72%, from 531,736 tons in Feb-25 to 732,333 tons in Feb-26.
Usama Rauf of AKD Research noted that annual growth in domestic offtakes is driven by a revival in construction activity amid easing financing rates and lower construction prices. Concurrently, sea-bound exports remained resilient due to market diversification, outweighing the impact of the suspension of North exports amid the Afghan border closure.
On Feb-26, North-based cement mills dispatched 2.856 million tons of cement, up 7.66% from 2.653 million tons dispatched on Feb-25. South-based mills dispatched 1.34 million tons of cement during Feb-26, which was 24.50% more than the 1.079 million tons dispatched during Feb-25.
North-based cement mills dispatched 2.856 million tons of cement in domestic markets in Feb-26, showing an increase of 9.72% against 2.603 million tons dispatched in Feb-25. South-based mills dispatched 611,239 tons of cement to local markets during Feb-26, just 2.35% more than the 597,177 tons dispatched during Feb-25.
There were no exports from North-based mills during Feb-26. Exports from South increased by 51.95% to 732,333 tons in Feb-26 from 481,956 tons during the same month last year.
During the first eight months of the current fiscal year, total cement dispatches (domestic and exports) were 34.798 million tons, which is 10.86% higher than 31.388 million tons dispatched during the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. Domestic despatches during this period were 28.503 million tons, up 11.93% from 25.465 million tons during the same period last year. Export despatches were 6.27% higher, rising to 6.295 million tons during the first eight months of the current fiscal year, compared to 5.924 million tons during the same period of the last fiscal year.
North-based Mills dispatched 23.745 million tons of cement domestically during the first eight months of the current fiscal year, up 13.15% from 20.985 million tons during July-24 to Feb-25. Exports from North dropped by 27.07% to 803,306 tons during July 25-Feb-26, compared with 1.101 million tons during the same period last year. Total dispatches by North-based Mills increased by 11.15% to 24.548 million tons during the first eight months of the current financial year from 22.086 million tons during the same period of the last financial year.
Domestic despatches by South-based Mills during July 25 to February 26 were 4.758 million tons, up 6.21% from 4.480 million tons dispatched during the same period of the last fiscal year. Exports from South increased by 13.89% to 5.491 million tons during July-25 to Feb-26 compared with 4.822 million tons exported during the same period last year. Total dispatches by South-based Mills increased by 10.19% to 10.250 million tons during the first eight months of the current financial year from 9.302 million tons during the same period of the last financial year.
A spokesman of the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association emphasised that the coming budget should include concessions for the cement industry to increase the off-take and provide the commodity at an affordable price to the masses. It will enable the sector to utilise its idle capacity and achieve economies of scale, he added.
