Cement dispatches in Pakistan saw a significant decline of 14.79% in January 2024, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

Total cement dispatches during the month were 3.414 million tons, down from 4.006 million tons in the same period last fiscal year.

Local cement dispatches in January 2024 were 2.967 million tons, reflecting a 17.3% decrease compared to January 2023. However, exports increased by 6.82%, reaching 446,595 tons in January 2024.

The data reveals that north-based mills dispatched 2.434 million tons of cement, a 15.83% decline, while south-based mills dispatched 979,970 tons, a 12.08% reduction, in January 2024.

Domestic dispatches also showed a decrease, with north-based mills dispatching 2.385 million tons (16.5% less) and south-based mills sending out 582,258 tons (20.43% less) compared to January 2023.

Exports from north-based mills increased significantly by 38.81%, reaching 48,883 tons in January 2024, while south-based mills experienced a slight increase of 3.88%, totaling 397,712 tons.

For the first seven months of the current fiscal year, total cement dispatches were 27.296 million tons, a 5.92% increase compared to the same period last year. Domestic dispatches decreased by 1.79%, totaling 23.196 million tons, while exports surged by 90.49%, reaching 4.1 million tons during this period.

The APCMA spokesperson attributed the decline in dispatches to operational inefficiencies and increased transportation costs resulting from the new axle load regime.

The association has urged authorities to review these regulations promptly to address industry concerns, emphasizing the potential impact on domestic prices and export competitiveness.

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