LAHORE – Cement dispatches reached 4.06 million tons in December 2023 compared with 3.881 million tons during the same month last fiscal year, showing an increase of 4.63 per cent.
According to the data released by All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, local cement dispatches during December 2023 were 3.536 million tons compared to 3.676 million tons in December 2022, showing a decline of 3.81pc.
Exports, however, increased by massive 155.85pc as the volumes jumped from 205,061 tons in December 2022 to 524,656 tons in December 2023.
In December 2023, north based cement mills dispatched 3.012 million tons cement as against 3.01 million tons in December 2022, showing almost flat growth.
On the contrary, south based mills dispatched 1.048 million tons cement during December 2023 that was 20.5pc higher compared to 0.87 million tons during December 2022.
North based cement mills dispatched 2.936 million tons cement in domestic markets in December 2023, showing a decline of 0.69pc against 2.956 million tons in December 2022.
South based mills dispatched 600,073 tons cement in local markets during December 2023 that was 16.62pc less compared to 719,721 tons during December 2022.
Exports from north based mills increased by 39.58pc as the quantities increased from 54,427 tons in December 2022 to 75,967 tons in December 2023.
Exports from south also increased by massive 197.87pc to 448,689 tons in December 2023 from 150,634 tons during the same month last year.
During the first six months of current fiscal year, total cement dispatches (domestic and exports) were 23.876 million tons that is 9.71pc higher than 21.764 million tons during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.
Domestic dispatches during this period were 20.223 million tons against 20.030 million tons during same period last year, showing an increase of 0.97pc.
Exports were substantially higher by 110.66pc as the volumes increased to 3.653 million tons during the first six months of current fiscal year compared to 1.734 million tons during the same period of last fiscal year.
North based mills dispatched 16.772 million tons cement domestically during the first six months of current fiscal year, showing an increase of 1.52pc than 16.522 million tons during July to December 2022.
Exports from north increased by 33.4pc to 771,173 tons during July to December 2023 compared with 578,074 tons during the same period last year.
Total dispatches by north based mills increased by 2.59pc to 17.543 million tons during first six months of current financial year from 17.1 million tons during same period of last financial year.
Domestic dispatches by south based mills during July to December 2023 were 3.451 million tons, showing reduction of 1.62pc over 3.508 million tons during the same period of last fiscal year.
Exports from south, however, substantially increased by 149.29pc to 2.882 million tons during July to December 2023 compared with 1.156 million tons during the same period last year.
Total dispatches by south based mills increased by 35.79pc to 6.333 million tons during first six months of current financial year from 4.664 million tons during same period of last financial year.
APCMA spokesman expressed concerns over the negative growth in domestic dispatches since last four months.
“We hope the government will speed up PSDP projects to increase cement demand and also give attention to our operational problems. Two major issues are related to new axle Load regime and track & trace system”, he said.
