In April 2024, cement dispatches in Pakistan experienced a slight decline compared to the same period last year, as reported by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA). The data highlights both domestic and export trends in cement dispatches, providing insights into the performance of the cement industry.
Total Cement Dispatches Total cement dispatches in April 2024 amounted to 2.943 million tons, showing a marginal decrease from 2.951 million tons recorded in April 2023.
Domestic Dispatches Local cement dispatches during April 2024 totaled 2.328 million tons, reflecting a decline of 7.99% compared to April 2023, which recorded 2.531 million tons.
Exports In contrast, exports witnessed a significant increase of 45.96%, with volumes rising from 420,857 tons in April 2023 to 614,264 tons in April 2024.
Regional Breakdown
- North-Based Mills: Dispatched 2.088 million tons of cement, marking a decline of 4.79% from April 2023.
- South-Based Mills: Dispatched 854,911 tons of cement, indicating a notable increase of 12.71% compared to April 2023.
Domestic Dispatches by Region
- North-Based Mills: Showed a decline of 7.91%, dispatching 1.942 million tons in April 2024.
- South-Based Mills: Experienced an 8.36% decrease, dispatching 386,783 tons during the same period.
Export Trends by Region
- North-Based Mills: Exports surged by 73.11% to 146,136 tons in April 2024.
- South-Based Mills: Witnessed a 39.14% increase, with exports reaching 468,128 tons.
Performance in Current Fiscal Year Total cement dispatches during the first ten months of the current fiscal year stood at 37.447 million tons, showing a 2.45% increase compared to the same period last year. Domestic dispatches experienced a decline of 4.12%, while exports saw a robust growth of 65.35%.
Policy Recommendations The APCMA spokesperson emphasized the need for government intervention in the upcoming budget to stimulate construction activities. Measures to increase capacity utilization and control operational costs were highlighted as essential steps to alleviate the impact on consumers and foster growth in the cement sector.
The data on cement dispatches in April 2024 underscores the mixed performance of the industry, with declines in domestic dispatches offset by significant growth in exports. Addressing operational challenges and implementing supportive policies are crucial for sustaining the momentum of the cement sector and driving economic growth in Pakistan.
