Lahore: Interior cement sales decreased by 1.94% in the first eleven months of the current financial year, according to data published by All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).
Local consumption increased from 35.1 million tonnes between July 2023 and May 2024 to 34.4 million tonnes during the same period for the current financial year. However, an increase of 25.73% of exports helped the sector to display global marginal growth of 2.46% during this period.
In May 2025 alone, total cement dispatches increased by 8.57% in annual sliding to 4.651 million tonnes, compared to 4.284 million tonnes in May 2024. Local dispatches reached 3.662 million tonnes, an increase of 8.93% against 3.362 million tonnes in the same month last year. Export volumes also increased by 7.27% to 0.989 million tonnes, compared to 0.922 million tonnes.
Ciments in the northern region sent 3,261 million tonnes in May 2025, up 11.87%, against 2.915 million tonnes a year earlier. Factory in the southern region sent 1.39 million tonnes, reflecting a modest increase of 1.54% against 1.379 million tonnes in May 2024.
In terms of local dispatches, Northern Mills provided 3.02 million tonnes on the internal market, an increase of 9.71% in annual sliding compared to 2,753 million tonnes. Southern Mills sent 641,894 tonnes locally in May 2025, marking an increase of 5.37% out of 609,174 tonnes in May 2024.
Exports from the northern region increased by 48.27%, from 162,929 tonnes in May 2024 to 241,578 tonnes in May 2025. On the other hand, exports from the South region decreased by 1.53% to 747,856 tonnes, against 759.456 tonnes in the same month of the last year.
Cumulatively, total cement dispatches (local and exports) for July 2024 to May 2025 reached 42.764 million tonnes – 2.46% of more than 41.739 million tonnes recorded during the same period last year. Interior dispatches amounted to 34.419 million tonnes, against 35.102 million tonnes last year, while exports increased sharply to 8.345 million tonnes, compared to 6.637 million tonnes.
In the northern region, interior dispatches during the eleven month period fell 1.53% to 28.489 million tonnes, compared to 28,931 million tonnes. Exports increased by 9.47% to 1,476 million tonnes, compared to 1.348 million tonnes last year. Total northern dispatches fell 1.04% to 29.965 million tonnes, compared to 30.279 million tonnes.
In the southern region, interior sales dropped by 3.9% to 5.93 million tonnes, compared to 6.171 million tonnes. However, exports jumped from 29.88% to 6.868 million tonnes, compared to 5.288 million tonnes. Total southern dispatches increased by 11.69% to 12.799 million tonnes, compared to 11.459 million tonnes in the previous year.
A spokesperson for the APCMA said that the 1.94% drop in the consumption of inner cement during the examination period was worrying and justified special attention. “Domestic demand is vital for the use of industry’s inactive capacity and for broader economic development,” he said, adding that the cement sector supports several allied industries, including steel, painting and electrical products.
He expressed the hope that the government would respond to industry concerns in the next federal budget and would introduce measures to reduce the rights and taxes on cement, which makes it more affordable for consumers.
