In February 2024, there was a significant decline of 19.22 percent in cement despatches compared to the same month in the previous fiscal year. The total cement despatches for February 2024 stood at 3.259 million tons, contrasting with 4.035 million tons despatched in February of the preceding fiscal year.

According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, the local cement despatches by the industry in February 2024 amounted to 2.863 million tons, marking a decrease of 20.23 percent from February 2023, when 3.590 million tons were despatched domestically. Additionally, exports despatches also saw a decline of 11.02 percent, with volumes reducing from 444,962 tons in February 2023 to 395,935 tons in February 2024.

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In February 2024, North-based cement mills despatched 2.433 million tons of cement, indicating a decline of 19.26 percent compared to February 2023, when 3.014 million tons were despatched. Similarly, South-based mills despatched 826,085 tons of cement in February 2024, reflecting a reduction of 19.08 percent from February 2023, when 1.021 million tons were despatched.

Domestically, North-based mills despatched 2.338 million tons of cement in February 2024, showing a decline of 20.73 percent from February 2023, when 2.949 million tons were despatched. South-based mills despatched 525,543 tons of cement domestically in February 2024, representing a decrease of 17.97 percent compared to February 2023, when 640,645 tons were despatched.

Exports from North-based mills increased by 47.40 percent, rising from 64,717 tons in February 2023 to 95,393 tons in February 2024. However, exports from the South decreased by 20.96 percent to 300,542 tons in February 2024 from 380,245 tons during the same month last year.

During the first eight months of the current fiscal year, total cement despatches (domestic and exports) amounted to 30.555 million tons, which is 2.52 percent higher than the 29.805 million tons despatched during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Domestic despatches during this period were 26.059 million tons against 27.207 million tons during the same period last year, indicating a reduction of 4.22 percent. Conversely, export despatches showed a healthy increase of 73.10 percent, with volumes rising to 4.496 million tons during the first eight months of the current fiscal year compared to 2.597 million tons exported during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

North-based mills despatched 21.495 million tons of cement domestically during the first eight months of the current fiscal year, reflecting a reduction of 3.73 percent compared to the cement despatches of 22.327 million tons during July-February 2023. However, exports from the North increased by 35.02 percent to 915,449 tons during July-February 2024 compared with 678,006 tons exported during the same period last year. Overall, total despatches by North-based mills decreased by 2.59 percent to 22.410 million tons during the first eight months of the current financial year from 23.005 million tons during the same period of the last financial year.