Cement despatches jump 11% in April 2026

May 04, 2026 (MLN): Cement despatches in Pakistan rose by 11.14% year-on-year in April 2026, with total volumes reaching 3.890 million tons (mt) compared to 3.5mt in the same month last fiscal year, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association.

The increase was driven by strong domestic demand, as local cement despatches surged 20.17% to 3.217mt in April 2026 from 2.677mt in April 2025. 

In contrast, export despatches declined sharply by 18.22%, falling to 673,058 tons from 823,032 tons a year earlier, according to a press release issued.

Region-wise, north-based cement mills recorded domestic despatches of 2.662mt in April 2026, up 18.25% from 2.251mt in April 2025. 

The northern region reported no exports during the month, bringing its total despatches to 2.662mt , reflecting a 12.52% increase from 2.365mt last year.

South-based mills posted a 30.35% rise in local despatches to 555,104 tons in April 2026, compared to 425,869 tons in April 2025. 

However, exports from the region edged down by 5.01% to 673,058 tons from 708,565 tons a year earlier. 

Total despatches from the southern region stood at 1.228mt, marking an 8.26% increase from 1.134mt in the same month last year.

During the first ten months of the current fiscal year (July 2025–April 2026), total cement despatches grew by 9.83% to 42.396mt, compared to 38.6mt in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. 

Domestic despatches rose 11.33% to 34.785 million tons from 31.244mt, while exports increased by 3.47% to 7.611mt from 7.355mt.

North-based mills despatched 29.014mt domestically during the ten-month period, up 12.56% from 25.778mt last year. 

However, exports from the region dropped significantly by 35.39% to 797,679 tons, compared to 1.234mt in the same period last year. 

Overall, total despatches by northern mills increased 10.36% to 29.812mt from 27.012mt.

Meanwhile, south-based mills recorded domestic despatches of 5.771mt during July–April FY26, up 5.56% from 5.467mt a year earlier. 

Exports from the region rose 11.31% to 6.813mt , compared to 6.12mt in the same period last year. 

Total despatches by southern mills increased 8.60% to 12.584mt from 11.587mt.

A spokesperson for the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association expressed optimism that improving geopolitical conditions in the coming weeks would support global economic stability and ease energy-related uncertainties. 

The association also expects industry-friendly measures in the upcoming federal budget to enhance competitiveness in the cement sector.