LAHORE – Local cement dispatches stood at 3.37 million tons during December 2024 as compared with 3.539 million tons in December 2023, showing a decline of 4.76 percent.
Exports, however, increased by 49.35pc as the volumes increased from 524,656 tons in December 2023 to 783,550 tons in December 2024.
According to the data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) on Thursday, total cement dispatches during December 2024 were 4.154 million tons against 4.063 million tons during the same month of last fiscal year, showing an increase of 2.23pc.
In December 2024, north based mills dispatched 2.9 million tons cement, showing a decline of 3.71pc against 3.012 million tons in December 2023. South based mills dispatched 1.254 million tons cement during December 2024 that was 19.25pc more compared to 1.052 million tons during December 2023.
North based mills dispatched 2.786 million tons cement in domestic markets in December 2024, showing a decline of 5.11pc against 2.936 million tons in December 2023. South based mills dispatched 584,684 tons cement in local markets during December 2024 that was also 3.04pc less compared to 603,010 tons during December 2023.
Exports from north increased by 50.18pc as the quantities increased from 75,967 tons in December 2023 to 114,089 tons in December 2024. Exports from south also increased by 49.2pc to 669,461 tons in December 2024 from 448,689 tons during the same month last year.
During the first six months of current fiscal year, total cement dispatches (domestic and exports) were 22.933 million tons that was 3.97pc lower than 23.881 million tons during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.
Domestic dispatches during this period were 18.122 million tons against 20.228 million tons during same period last year, showing a reduction of 10.41pc. Exports were 31.69pc more as the volumes increased to 4.810 million tons compared to 3.653 million tons exports done during same period of last fiscal year.
North based mills dispatched 15.185 million tons cement domestically during the first six months of current fiscal year, showing a reduction of 9.46pc than 16.772 million tons during July-December 2023. Exports from north increased by 28.81pc to 992,413 tons during July-December 2024 compared with 770,470 tons exported during the same period last year.
Total dispatches by north based mills reduced by 7.78pc to 16.177 million tons during first six months of current financial year from 17.542 million tons during same period of last financial year.
Domestic dispatches by south based mills during July-December 2024 were 2.937 million tons, showing reduction of 15.02pc over 3.456 million tons during the same period of last fiscal year. Exports from south increased by 32.47pc to 3.817 million tons during July-December 2024 compared with 2.882 million tons during the same period last year.
Total dispatches by south based mills increased by 6.57pc to 6.755 million tons during first six months of current financial year from 6.339 million tons during same period of last financial year.
APCMA spokesman expressed concerns over the continuous decline in local cement demand. He emphasized that local consumption plays a major role in the economic growth.
“Reduction of duties and taxes by the government can bring the cost of the commodity down which can boost the sales and enable the sector to use its idle capacity,” he added.
