Cement dispatches rise 16.25pc in Q1FY26

LAHORE: Cement dispatches, both domestic and export, posted a strong increase during the first quarter of the current fiscal year 2026, rising 16.25 per cent to 12.161 million tonnes, compared with 10.461 million tonnes in the same period last year.

Domestic dispatches grew 15.08 per cent, reaching 9.573 million tonnes against 8.319 million tonnes a year earlier. Export dispatches climbed 20.81 per cent to 2.589 million tonnes, up from 2.143 million tonnes in the first quarter of last fiscal year.

According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), cement dispatches surged 31.24 per cent month-on-month (MoM) in July 2025 and 13.47 per cent in August, before moderating to 7.05 per cent growth in September when total dispatches stood at 4.25 million tonnes compared with 3.97 million tonnes in the same month of 2024.

Local cement dispatches in September were 3.418 million tonnes, up 14.38 per cent from 2.988 million tonnes last year. Export dispatches, however, fell 15.25 per cent to 831,966 tonnes, compared with 981,646 tonnes in September 2024.

North-based cement mills dispatched 3.162 million tonnes in September 2025, a rise of 16.41 per cent from 2.717 million tonnes a year earlier. In contrast, South-based mills dispatched 1.09 million tonnes, down 13.23 per cent from 1.253 million tonnes last year.

Domestically, north-based mills supplied 2.941 million tonnes in September, up 17.02 per cent from 2.513 million tonnes in 2024. South-based mills dispatched 476,465 tonnes locally, a marginal increase of 0.41 per cent compared with 474,528 tonnes last year.

Exports from north-based mills rose 8.84 per cent to 221,252 tonnes in September from 203,280 tonnes a year earlier. Exports from South-based mills, however, dropped 21.54 per cent to 610,714 tonnes, compared with 778,366 tonnes in September 2024.

For the July-September period, north-based mills dispatched 8.010 million tonnes domestically, up 13.65 per cent from 7.048 million tonnes a year earlier. Their exports rose 30.49 per cent to 661,866 tonnes, against 507,201 tonnes last year. Total dispatches from north-based mills increased 14.78 per cent to 8.672 million tonnes from 7.555 million tonnes in the same period of 2024.

South-based mills dispatched 1.562 million tonnes domestically in the first quarter, up 22.99 per cent from 1.270 million tonnes last year. Exports from the south rose 17.8 per cent to 1.926 million tonnes compared with 1.636 million tonnes in the same period last year. Total dispatches from South-based mills increased 20.07 per cent to 3.489 million tonnes, against 2.906 million tonnes in July-September 2024.

An APCMA spokesman said the industry could achieve even higher growth if the government offered concessions on duties and taxes, which would ultimately benefit end consumers. “Significant rehabilitation work is required following the devastating floods, and we expect cooperation from the government,” he added.