Cement dispatches increased by 37.04% in August 2023. Total Cement dispatches during Aug 2023 were 4.518 million tons against 3.297 million Tons dispatched during the same month of last fiscal year. According to the data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), local cement dispatches by the industry during August 2023 were 3.793 million tons compared to 2.909 million tons in August 2022, showing an increase of 30.38%. Export dispatches also increased by 87.07% as the volumes grew from 387,440 tons in August 2022 to 724,777 tons in August 2023.

In August 2023, North-based cement mills dispatched 3.252 million tons of cement, showing an increase of 25.28% against 2.596 million tons of dispatches in August 2022. South-based mills dispatched 1.265 million tons of cement in August 2023, which was 80.63% more compared to the dispatches of 700,436 tons in August 2022.

North-based cement mills dispatched 3.088 million tons of cement in domestic markets in August 2023, showing an increase of 23.32% against 2.504 million tons in August 2022. South-based mills dispatched 704,582 tons of cement in local markets during August 2023, which was 73.99% more compared to the dispatches of 404,959 during August 2022.

Exports from North-based mills increased by 78.54% as the quantities escalated from 91,963 tons in August 2022 to 164,195 tons in August 2023. Exports from the South also increased by 89.72% to 560,582 tons in August 2023 from 295,477 tons during the same month last year.

During the first two months of the current fiscal year, total cement dispatches (domestic and exports) were 7.747 million tons, 45.17% higher than the 5.337 million tons dispatched last fiscal year.

Domestic dispatches during this period were 6.573 million tons against 4.796 million tons last year, showing an increase of 37.05%. Export dispatches also increased 117.13% as the volumes rose to 1.175 million tons during the first two months of the current fiscal year compared to 540,957 tons of exports during the last fiscal year.

North-based Mills dispatched 5.440 million tons of cement domestically during the first two months of the current fiscal year, showing an increase of 32% from cement dispatches of 4.121 million tons during July-August 2022. Exports from the North increased by 76.32% to 286,009 tons during July-August 2023 compared with 162,210 tons exported during the same period last year. Total dispatches by North-based Mills increased by 33.68% to 5.726 million tons during the first two months of the current financial year from 4.284 million tons during the last financial year.

Domestic dispatches by South-based Mills during July-August 2023 were 1.132 million tons, showing an increase of 67.91% over 674,436 tons of cement dispatched during the last fiscal year. Exports from the South also increased by 134.61% to 888,559 tons during July-August 2023 compared with 378,747 tons exported during the previous year. Total dispatches by South-based Mills increased by 91.89% to 2.021 million tons during the first two months of the current financial year from 1.053 million tons during the last financial year.

A spokesman of APCMA mentioned that, once again, our currency is facing rapid depreciation against the dollar. Petroleum prices have touched historically high levels, and electricity tariff is also rising. Due to these factors, the cost of production and goods transportation is increasing daily, eventually affecting the price to end consumers. He strongly emphasised that the government should consider these matters to bring the industry out of this serious situation.