LAHORE – Cement dispatches increased by 3.85 per cent in Mar 2024. Total cement dispatches during March 2024 were 3.941 million tons as compared with 3.795 million tons during the same month of last fiscal year.
According to the data released by All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), local cement dispatches during March 2024 were 3.336 million tons as compared to 3.357 million tons in March 2023, showing a decline of 0.62pc.
Exports increased by 38.02pc as the volumes enhanced from 438,433 tons in March 2023 to 605,142 tons in March 2024.
In March 2024, north based mills dispatched 2.866 million tons cement, showing an increase of 1.6pc against 2.821 million tons in March 2023. South based mills dispatched 1.074 million tons cement during March 2024 that was 10.37pc more compared to 0.974 million tons during March 2023.
North based mills dispatched 2.742 million tons cement in domestic markets in March 2024, showing an increase of 0.76pc against 2.721 million tons in March 2023. South based mills dispatched 594,487 tons cement in local markets during March 2024 that was 6.52pc less compared to 635,959 tons during March 2023.
Exports from north based mills increased by 24.14pc as the quantities increased from 100,431 tons in March 2023 to 124,672 tons in March 2024. Exports from south also increased by 42.15pc to 480,470 tons in March 2024 from 338,002 tons during the same month last year.
During the first nine months of current fiscal year, total cement dispatches (domestic and exports) were 34.502 million tons that is 2.68pc more than 33.6 million tons during the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Domestic dispatches during this period were 29.401 million tons against 30.564 million tons during same period last year, showing a reduction of 3.81pc.
Exports rose by healthy 68.03pc as the volumes increased to 5.101 million tons during the first nine months of current fiscal year compared to 3.036 million tons during same period of last fiscal year.
North based mills dispatched 24.236 million tons cement domestically during the first nine months of current fiscal year, showing a reduction of 3.24pc than 25.048 million tons during July-March 2023. Exports from north increased by 33.62pc to 1.040 million tons during July-March 2024 compared with 778,437 tons during the same period last year.
Total dispatches by north based mills reduced by 2.13pc to 25.277 million tons during first nine months of current financial year from 25.826 million tons during same period of last financial year.
Domestic dispatches by south based mills during July-March 2024 were 5.164 million tons, showing reduction of 6.38pc over 5.516 million tons during the same period of last fiscal year. Exports from south increased by 79.9pc to 4.06 million tons during July-March 2024 compared with 2.257 million tons during the same period last year.
Total dispatches by south based mills increased by 18.68pc to 9.225 million tons during first nine months of current financial year from 7.773 million tons during same period of last financial year.
APCMA spokesman said that the cement units have increased their capacities in expectation of higher construction activities in the country. However, operating at full capacity is still a distant dream, he added.
