Cement Sales in Pakistan Rise by 3.85% in March

The Cement sales across Pakistan has increased during March 2024, according to a data released by All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) indicating a 3.85% year-on-year surge in the commodity.

Total dispatches for the month reached 3.941 million tons, compared to 3.795 million tons in March of the previous fiscal year.

While local cement dispatches declined slightly by 0.62% to 3.336 million tons, exports surged by an impressive 38.02%, with volumes rising from 438,433 tons in March 2023 to 605,142 tons in March 2024.

The report highlights significant growth in dispatches from North-based cement mills, showing a 1.60% increase, and South-based mills, with a notable 10.37% rise in March 2024 compared to the same period last year.

For the first nine months of the fiscal year, total cement dispatches reached 34.502 million tons, marking a 2.68% increase from the previous fiscal year.

While domestic dispatches experienced a slight reduction of 3.81%, exports saw a substantial rise of 68.03%.

North-based mills reported a reduction of 3.24% in domestic dispatches but witnessed a 33.62% increase in exports during the same period.

Meanwhile, South-based mills saw a 6.38% decrease in domestic dispatches but recorded a significant 79.90% increase in exports.Despite capacity expansions in anticipation of heightened construction activities, the cement industry continues to face challenges.

A spokesman for the APCMA expressed hope for support from the newly formed government to address industry concerns, emphasizing the need for sustained growth and operational efficiency.

As the cement sector navigates opportunities and challenges in the evolving economic landscape, stakeholders remain optimistic about the industry’s potential contribution to Pakistan’s infrastructure development and economic growth.