KARACHI – Cement dispatches declined by 14.79 per cent in January 2024. Total cement dispatches during January 2024 were 3.414 million tons as compared with 4.006 million tons during the same month of last fiscal year.
According to the data released by All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) on Friday, local cement dispatches during January 2024 were 2.967 million tons as compared to 3.588 million tons in January 2023, showing a decline of 17.3pc.
Exports, however, surge by 6.82pc as the volumes increased from 418,067 tons in January 2023 to 446,595 tons in January 2024.
In January 2024, north based mills dispatched 2.434 million tons cement, showing a decline of 15.83pc against 2.892 million tons in January 2023. South based mills dispatched 979,970 tons cement during January 2024 that was 12.08pc less compared to 1.115 million tons during January 2023.
North based cement mills dispatched 2.385 million tons cement in the domestic markets in January 2024, showing a decline of 16.5pc against 2.856 million tons in January 2023. South based mills dispatched 582,258 tons cement in local markets during January 2024 that was 20.43pc less compared to 731,747 tons during January 2023.
Exports from north based mills surged by 38.81pc as the quantities increased from 35,215 tons in January 2023 to 48,883 tons in January 2024. Exports from south slightly increased by 3.88pc to 397,712 tons in January 2024 from 382,852 tons during the same month last year.
During the first seven months of current fiscal year, total cement dispatches (domestic and exports) were 27.296 million tons that is 5.92pc higher than 25.77 million tons during the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Domestic dispatches during this period were 23.196 million tons against 23.618 million tons during same period last year, showing a reduction of 1.79pc.
Exports showed healthy increase of 90.49pc as the volumes enhanced to 4.1 million tons during the first seven months of current fiscal year compared to 2.152 million tons during the same period of last fiscal year.
North based mills dispatched 19.157 million tons cement domestically during the first seven months of current fiscal year, showing a reduction of 1.14pc than 19.378 million tons during July 2022 to January 2023. Exports from north increased by 33.71pc to 820,056 tons during July 2023 to January 2024 compared with 613,289 tons during the same period last year.
Total dispatches by north based mills remained almost flat at 19.977 million tons during first seven months of current financial year from 19.991 million tons during same period of last financial year.
Domestic dispatches by south based mills during July 2023 to January 2024 were 4.039 million tons, showing reduction of 4.74pc over 4.24 million tons during the same period of last fiscal year. Exports from south massively increased by 113.11pc to 3.279 million tons during July 2023 to January 2024 compared with 1.539 million tons exported during the same period last year.
Total dispatches by south based mills increased by 26.65pc to 7.319 million tons during first seven months of current financial year from 5.779 million tons during same period of last financial year.
APCMA spokesman said that new axle load regime has led to operational inefficiencies and increased inland transportation cost as well as freight, handling and shipping costs for export consignments. All these factors will put pressure on cement prices likely to result in high cost to the domestic consumers and adverse effects on export fronts. APCMA has repeatedly requested concerned quarters to review the new axle load regulations and to address the related concerns of industry on priority, he added.
