LAHORE – Cement dispatches declined by 2.12 per cent in November 2023.
Total cement dispatches during Nov 2023 were 3.924 million tons against 4.009 Million tons during the same month of the last fiscal year.
According to the data released by All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, local cement dispatches during last month were 3.262 million tons compared to 3.862 million tons in November 2022, showing a decline of 15.53pc.
Exports, however, increased by a massive 348.29pc as the volumes increased from 147,757 tons in November 2022 to 662,374 tons in November 2023.
In November 2023, north-based mills dispatched 2.867 million tons of cement showing a decline of 12.24pc against 3.267 million tons in November 2022.
South-based mills dispatched 1.057 million tons of cement during November 2023 which was 42.44pc more compared to 0.742 million tons during November 2022.
North-based mills dispatched 2.723 million tons of cement in domestic markets in November 2023 showing a decline of 13.91pc against 3.163 million tons in November 2022.
South-based mills dispatched 538,668 tons of cement in local markets during November 2023 which was 22.85pc less compared to 698,225 during November 2022.
Exports from north-based mills increased by 38.64pc as the quantities increased from 103,824 tons in November 2022 to 143,942 tons in November 2023.
Exports from south-based mills increased by 1080pc to 518,432 tons in November 2023 from 43,933 tons during the same month last year.
During the first five months of the current fiscal year, total cement dispatches (domestic and exports) were 19.816 million tons which is 10.81pc higher than 17.883 million tons during the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.
Domestic dispatches during this period were 16.688 million tons against 16.354 million tons during the same period last year showing an increase of 2.04pc.
Exports were also 104.60pc more as the volumes increased to 3.129 million tons during the first five months of the current fiscal year compared to 1.529 million tons during the same period of last fiscal year.
North-based mills dispatched 13.836 million tons of cement domestically during the first five months of the current fiscal year showing an increase of 2pc than 13.566 million tons during July-November 2022. Exports from the north increased by 32.76pc to 695,206 tons during July-November 2023 compared with 523,647 tons during the same period last year.
Total dispatches by north-based mills increased by 3.14pc to 14.532 million tons during the first five months of the current financial year from 14.089 million tons during the same period of the last financial year.
Domestic dispatches by south-based mills during July-November 2023 were 2.851 million tons showing an increase of 2.26pc over 2.788 million tons during the same period of last fiscal year.
Exports from the south also increased by 142.01pc to 2.433 million tons during July-November 2023 compared with 1.006 million tons during the same period last year.
Total dispatches by south-based mills increased by 39.30pc to 5.284 million tons during the first five months of the current financial year from 3.794 million tons during the same period of the last financial year.
APCMA spokesman said that some sources have implemented an axle load regime since 1st Nov 2023 without any consultation with stakeholders.
“There will be a massive increase in freight charges on cement, coal and other raw materials. It will add unnecessary pressure on our inflation which can increase by double digits. We would like to suggest to the government to implement axle load in a phase-wise manner over the next two to three years. We also foresee a major shortage of trucks which will disturb the supply to the markets. Exports will also be affected by this axle load regime,” he added.
