Local cement dispatches during September 2024 were 2.650 million tons as compared to 3.233 million tons in September 2023, decreasing by 18.02 per cent to reach at the level of 2017.
Total cement dispatches during September 2024 were 3.540 million tons as against 3.751 million tons during the same month of last fiscal year, decreasing by 5.63pc.
According to the data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), exports increased by 71.52pc as the volumes jumped from 570,692 tons in September 2023 to 978,871 tons in September 2024.
In September 2024, north based mills dispatched 2.407 million tons cement, showing a decline of 12.78pc against 2.759 million in September 2023. South based mills dispatched 1.246 million tons cement during September 2024 that was 14.23pc more compared to 0.992 million tons during September 2023.
North based mills dispatched 2.222 million tons cement in domestic markets in September 2024, showing a decline of 15.51pc against 2.630 million tons in September 2023. South based mills dispatched 470,931 tons cement in local markets during September 2024 that was 28.95pc less compared to 662,786 tons during September 2023.
Exports from north increased by 42.93pc as the quantities increased from 142,226 tons in September 2023 to 203,280 tons in September 2024. Exports from south also increased by 81.02pc to 775,591 tons in September 2024 from 428,466 tons during the same month last year.
During the first three months of current fiscal year, total dispatches (domestic and exports) were 10.269 million tons that is 13.59pc lower than 11.885 million tons during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.
Domestic dispatches during this period were 8.130 million tons against 10.133 million tons during same period last year, showing a reduction of 19.78pc. Exports showed 22.19pc growth as the volumes increased to 2.140 million tons during the first three months of current fiscal year compared to 1.751 million tons during same period of last fiscal year.
North based mills dispatched 6.863 million tons cement domestically during the first three months of current fiscal year, showing a reduction of 17.65pc than 8.333 million tons during July-September 2023. Exports from north increased by 18.42pc to 507,101 tons during July-September 2024 compared with 428,235 tons during the same period last year.
Total dispatches by north based mills reduced by 15.88PC to 7.370 million tons during first three months of current financial year from 8.762 million tons during same period of last financial year.
Domestic dispatches by south based mills during July-September 2024 were 1.267 million tons, showing reduction of 29.63pc over 1.8 million tons during the same period of last fiscal year. Exports from south increased by 23.42pc to1.632 million tons during July-September 2024 compared with 1.323 million tons during the same period last year.
Total dispatches by south based mills reduced by 7.16pc to 2.9 million tons during first three months of current financial year from 3.123 million tons during same period of last financial year.
APCMA spokesman said that the industry was facing the trend of decrease in dispatches since the last four months. He said that industry was facing crisis due to continuous downfall in its capacity utilization.
“If the government gives relief in duties and taxes to curb the cost of production, it can boost the domestic demand and will also make our product competitive in international markets, enabling us to tap more opportunities to earn foreign exchange for the country,” he added.
