According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), local cement despatches during Sep-26 were 3.788 million tons, up from 3.529 million tons in Sep-25, a 7.35% increase. Export despatches were almost flat at 832,173 tons compared to 831,966 tons in Sep-25. Total cement despatches during Sep-26 were 4.621 million tons, up from 4.361 million tons in the same month last fiscal year, a 5.95% increase.

In Sep-26, total despatches by North-based cement mills were 3.164 million tons of cement, down 2.43% from 3.242 million tons in Sep-25. South-based mills despatched 1.46 million tons of cement in Sep-26, up 30.23% from 1.12 million tons in Sep-25.

Against domestic despatches of 3.021 million tons in Sep-25, North-based cement mills despatched 3.164 million tons in domestic markets in Sep-26, up 4.72%. South-based mills despatched 624,833 tons of cement in local markets during Sep-26, up 22.98% from 508,077 tons in Sep-25.

Compared with exports of 221,252 tons in Sep-25, North-based mills had no exports in Sep-26. Exports from South jumped by 36.26% to 832,173 tons in Sep-26 from 610,714 tons during the same month last year.

During the first quarter of the current fiscal year, total cement despatches (domestic and exports) were 13.141 million tons, up 3.88% from 12.651 million tons despatched during the corresponding period last fiscal year. Domestic despatches during this period were 10.845 million tons, up from 10.062 million tons during the same period last year, an increase of 7.79%. Export despatches were 11.32% lower, as volumes fell to 2.296 million tons during the first three months of the current fiscal year, compared with 2.589 million tons exported during the same period last fiscal year.

North-based mills despatched 8.946 million tons of cement domestically during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, up 6.80% from 8.377 million tons during Jul-25 to Sep-25. There were no exports from North during Jul-26 to Sep-26 compared with 661,866 tons exported during the same period last year. Total despatches by North-based mills fell by 1.02% to 8.946 million tons during the first three months of the current financial year, from 9.039 million tons during the same period last year.

Domestic dispatches by South-based mills during Jul-26 to Sep-26 were 1.899 million tons, up 12.71% from 1.685 million tons during the same period last fiscal year. Exports from South also increased by 19.15% to 2.296 million tons during Jul-26 to Sep-26 compared with 1.927 million tons exported during the same period last year. Total despatches by South-based mills increased by 16.15% to 4.195 million tons during the first three months of the current financial year, from 3.612 million tons during the same period of last financial year.

A spokesman for the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association expressed concerns over the decline in exports and the continued instability in energy prices. He was optimistic that geopolitical tensions would be resolved soon, enabling cement and allied industries to come out of this difficult situation.