Cement Sales Grow Nearly 6% in November 2024

The total Cement sales during November 2024 were 4.146 million tons against 3.927 million tons despatched during the same month of last fiscal year, marking an increase of 5.58%. According to the data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, local cement sales by the industry during November 2024 were 3.342 million tons compared to 3.264 million tons in November 2023, showing a slight increase of 2.39%. Export dispatches also increased by 21.27% as the volumes increased from 662,374 tons in November 2023 to 803,258 tons in November 2024. In November 2024, north-based cement mills dispatched 2.925 million tons of cement showing an increase of 2.01% against 2.867 million tons dispatched in November 2023. South-based mills dispatched 1.220 million tons of cement during November 2024 which was 15.21% more compared to the dispatches of 1.060 million tons during November 2023. North-based cement mills dispatched 2.757 million tons of cement in domestic markets in November 2024 showing an increase of 1.23% against 2.723 million tons of dispatches in November 2023. South-based mills dispatched 585,689 tons of cement in local markets during November 2024 which was 8.24% more compared to the dispatches of 541,079 during November 2023. Exports from north-based mills increased by 16.90% as the quantities increased from 143,942 tons in November 2023 to 168,265 tons in November 2024. Exports from the south also increased by 22.48% to 634,993 tons in November 2024 from 518,432 tons during the same month last year. During the first five months of the current fiscal year, total cement dispatches (domestic and exports) were 18.779 million tons, which is 5.24% lower than the 19.818 million tons dispatched during the corresponding period of last fiscal year. Domestic dispatches during this period were 14.752 million tons against 16.690 million tons during the same period last year showing a reduction of 11.61%. Export dispatches rose by 28.73% as the volumes jumped to 4.027 million tons during the first five months of the current fiscal year compared to 3.128 million tons of exports done during the same period of last fiscal year. North-based mills dispatched 12.399 million tons of cement domestically during the first five months of the current fiscal year showing a substantial reduction of 10.39% from cement dispatches of 13.836 million tons during July-November 2023. Exports from the north increased by 26.47% to 878,324 tons during July-November 2024 compared with 694,503 tons exported during the same period last year. Total dispatches by north-based mills reduced by 8.62% to 13.278 million tons during the first five months of the current financial year from 14.531 million tons during the same period of the last financial year. Domestic dispatches by south-based mills during July-November 2024 were 2.353 million tons showing a massive reduction of 17.55% over 2.853 million tons of cement dispatched during the same period of last fiscal year. Exports from the south also increased by 29.38% to 3.148 million tons during July-November 2024 compared with 2.433 million tons exported during the same period last year. Total dispatches by south-based mills increased by 4.05% to 5.501 million tons during the first five months of the current financial year from 5.287 million tons during the same period of the last financial year. A spokesman of the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association mentioned that cement sales, especially the domestic off-take can be increased if the government slashes duties and taxes thereby reducing the cost to the end consumer. It will boost demand thereby enabling the sector to use its idle capacity, he added.