LAHORE – Cement dispatches declined by 19.22 per cent in February 2024. Total cement dispatches during February 2024 were 3.259 million tons against 4.035 million tons during the same month of last fiscal year.
According to the data released by All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, local cement dispatches by the industry during the month of February 2024 were 2.863 million tons compared to 3.590 million tons in February 2023, showing a decline of 20.23pc. Exports also declined by 11.02pc as the volumes reduced from 444,962 tons in February 2023 to 395,935 tons in February 2024.
In February 2024, north based cement mills dispatched 2.433 million tons cement, showing a decline of 19.26 pc against 3.014 million tons in February 2023. South based mills dispatched 826,085 tons cement during February 2024 that was 19.08pc less compared to 1.021 million tons during February 2023.
North based mills dispatched 2.338 million tons cement in domestic markets in February 2024, showing a decline of 20.73pc against 2.949 million tons in February 2023. South based mills dispatched 525,543 tons cement in local markets during February 2024 that was 17.97pc less compared to 640,645 during February 2023.
Exports from north based mills increased by 47.40pc as the quantities enhanced from 64,717 tons in February 2023 to 95,393 tons in February 2024. Exports from south reduced by 20.96pc to 300,542 tons in February 2024 from 380,245 tons during the same month last year.
During the first eight months of current fiscal year, total cement dispatches (domestic and exports) were 30.555 million tons that is 2.52pc higher than 29.805 million tons during the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Domestic dispatches during this period were 26.059 million tons against 27.207 million tons during same period last year showing a reduction of 4.22pc. Exports showed healthy increase by 73.10pc as the volumes increased to 4.496 million tons during the first eight months of current fiscal year compared to 2.597 million tons during same period of last fiscal year.
North based mills dispatched 21.495 million tons cement domestically during the first eight months of current fiscal year, showing a reduction of 3.73pc than 22.327 million tons during July-February 2023. Exports from north increased by 35.02pc to 915,449 tons during July-February 2024 compared with 678,006 tons during the same period last year. Total dispatches by north based mills reduced by 2.59pc to 22.410 million tons during first eight months of current financial year from 23.005 million tons during same period of last financial year.
Domestic dispatches by south based mills during July-February 2024 were 4.564 million tons showing reduction of 6.47pc over 4.880 million tons during the same period of last fiscal year. Exports from south increased by massive 86.55pc to 3.580 million tons during July-February 2024 compared with 1.919 million tons exported during the same period last year. Total dispatches by south based mills increased by 19.78pc to 8.145 million tons during first eight months of current financial year from 6.799 million tons during same period of last financial year.
APCMA spokesman suggested the new government to frame industry friendly policies. He stressed the need of starting pending public sector development projects to provide relief to the construction industry.
