All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association Cement (APCMA) have released dispatch data for June and July – June 2023. It showed a decline of 22.80% in Jun-23 when total Cement despatches reached 4.063 million tons against 5.264 million tons despatched during the same month of last fiscal year. According to the data released by the APCMA, local cement despatches by the industry during June 2023 were 3.487 million tons compared to 4.979 million tons in June 2022, showing a decline of 29.97%. Export despatches increased by 102.59% as the volumes increased from 284,471 tons in June 2022 to 576,309 tons in June 2023.

In June 2023, North-based cement mills despatched 2.950 million tons of cement, showing a decline of 30.08% against 4.220 million tons of despatches in June 2022. South-based mills despatched 1.113 million tons of cement during June 2023, 6.60% more than the despatches of 1.044 million tons during June 2022.

North-based cement mills despatched 2.855 million tons of cement in domestic markets in June 2023, showing a decline of 30.75% against 4.122 million tons of despatches in June 2022. South-based mills despatched 632,093 tons of cement in local markets during June 2023, which was 26.23% less compared to the despatches of 856,863 during June 2022. Exports from North-based mills dropped by 1.88% as the quantities reduced from 97,163 tons in June 2022 to 95,333 tons in June 2023. Exports from the South increased by 156.78% to 480,976 tons in June 2023 from 187,308 tons during the same month last year.

Cumulative dispatches in FY23

During the fiscal year 2022-23, total cement despatches (domestic and exports) were 44.579 million tons which are 15.71% lower than 52.891 million tons despatched during the last fiscal year. Domestic despatches were 40.013 million tons against 47.635 million tons last year, showing a reduction of 16.00%. Export despatches were also 13.13% less as the volumes reduced to 4.566 million tons during the fiscal year 2022-23 compared to 5.256 million tons of exports during the last fiscal year.

North-based Mills despatched 32.776 million tons of cement domestically during the fiscal year 2022-23 showing a reduction of 16.89% than cement despatches of 39.439 million tons during last fiscal year. Exports from North increased by 17.41% to 1.069 million tons during fiscal year 2022-23 compared with 911,065 tons exported during last fiscal year. Total despatches by North-based Mills reduced by 16.12% to 33.846 million tons during fiscal year 2022-23 from 40.350 million tons during last fiscal year.

Domestic despatches by South based Mills during fiscal year 2022-23 were 7.237 million tons showing reduction of 11.70% over 8.196 million tons of cement despatched during last fiscal year. Exports from South declined by 19.53% to 3.496 million tons during fiscal year 2022-23 compared with 4.345 million tons exported during last fiscal year. Total despatches by South-based Mills reduced by 14.41% to 10.734 million tons during fiscal year 2022-23 from 12.541 million tons during last fiscal year.

A spokesman of All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association mentioned that the government should facilitate export-oriented industries so that we can regain momentum in the international markets and the country can come out of the difficult times. Boosting exports will play a pivotal role in the revival of our economy. The signing of standby agreement with IMF is only an interim solution and we must use our own resources in order to build a stronger Pakistan, he added.