The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) released data showing mixed performance in the cement industry in December 2024. Local cement despatches by the industry declined by 4.76 percent, falling to 3.370 million tons compared to 3.539 million tons in December 2023.
However, export despatches increased significantly by 49.35 percent, rising from 524,656 tons in December 2023 to 783,550 tons in December 2024. Overall, total cement despatches during December 2024 reached 4.154 million tons, reflecting a 2.23 percent increase compared to 4.063 million tons in the same month of the previous fiscal year.
In terms of regional performance, North-based cement mills despatched 2.9 million tons in December 2024, a decline of 3.71 percent compared to 3.012 million tons in December 2023. Meanwhile, South-based mills recorded a 19.25 percent increase, with despatches rising to 1.254 million tons in December 2024 from 1.052 million tons in December 2023. Local despatches from North-based mills dropped by 5.11 percent to 2.786 million tons in December 2024, down from 2.936 million tons in December 2023. Similarly, South-based mills saw a 3.04 percent decline in local despatches, which fell to 584,684 tons in December 2024 from 603,010 tons in December 2023.
On the export front, North-based mills recorded a 50.18 percent increase, with export volumes rising to 114,089 tons in December 2024 from 75,967 tons in December 2023. South-based mills also experienced a 49.20 percent growth in exports, which increased to 669,461 tons in December 2024 from 448,689 tons in the same month last year.
During the first six months of the current fiscal year, total cement despatches, including both domestic and export markets, stood at 22.933 million tons, a 3.97 percent decline compared to 23.881 million tons during the same period last year. Domestic despatches during this period dropped by 10.41 percent to 18.122 million tons, down from 20.228 million tons in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. In contrast, export despatches increased by 31.69 percent, rising to 4.810 million tons from 3.653 million tons during the same period last year.
North-based mills despatched 15.185 million tons domestically during the first half of the fiscal year, a 9.46 percent decline compared to 16.772 million tons in the same period last year. Exports from the North increased by 28.81 percent, reaching 992,413 tons during July-December 2024, up from 770,470 tons in the same period last year. Total despatches by North-based mills fell by 7.78 percent to 16.177 million tons during the first six months of the current fiscal year, compared to 17.542 million tons in the same period last year.
South-based mills recorded a 15.02 percent decline in domestic despatches, which fell to 2.937 million tons during July-December 2024 from 3.456 million tons in the same period last year. However, exports from the South increased by 32.47 percent, rising to 3.817 million tons during the first half of the fiscal year, compared to 2.882 million tons in the same period last year. Total despatches by South-based mills increased by 6.57 percent to 6.755 million tons during July-December 2024, up from 6.339 million tons in the same period last year.
A spokesman for APCMA expressed serious concerns over the continued decline in local cement demand, emphasizing the critical role of local offtake in driving the industry and the broader economy. He urged the government to reduce duties and taxes to lower the cost of cement, which could boost sales and allow the sector to utilize its idle capacity.
