Cement dispatches rise 12.5% in Feb

March 03, 2026 (MLN): Cement dispatches recorded a robust growth of 12.53% in February 2026, reaching 4.199 million tons (mt) compared to 3.732mt in the same month last fiscal year, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

The increase was driven by both domestic sales and exports. Local cement dispatches rose by 8.35% to 3.467mt in February 2026, up from 3.2mt in February 2025.

Export dispatches posted a significant surge of 37.72%, climbing to 732,333 tons from 531,736 tons a year earlier, according to a press release issued.

Regionally, North-based cement mills dispatched 2.856mt during February 2026, reflecting a 7.66% increase from 2.653mt in February 2025.

South-based mills recorded a stronger growth of 24.50%, with dispatches rising to 1.34mt from 1.079mt in the corresponding month last year.

In domestic markets, North-based mills supplied 2.856mt in February 2026, up 9.72% from 2.603mt in February 2025.

South-based mills dispatched 611,239 tons locally, showing a modest increase of 2.35% over 597,177 tons last year.

Notably, there were no exports from North-based mills during February 2026.

However, exports from the South registered a sharp rise of 51.95%, reaching 732,333 tons compared to 481,956 tons in the same month of the previous year.

During the first eight months of the current fiscal year, total cement dispatches (domestic and exports combined) stood at 34.798mt, marking a 10.86% increase from 31.388mt in the corresponding period of last fiscal year.

Domestic dispatches grew by 11.93% to 28.503mt, compared to 25.465mt last year. Export volumes also improved by 6.27%, rising to 6.295mt from 5.924mt.

North-based mills dispatched 23.745mt in domestic markets during July 2025 to February 2026, up 13.15% from 20.985mt in the same period last year. However, exports from the North declined by 27.07% to 803,306 tons from 1.101mt.

Overall, total dispatches by North-based mills increased 11.15% to 24.548mt during the eight-month period.

Meanwhile, South-based mills recorded domestic dispatches of 4.758mt during July 2025 to February 2026, reflecting a 6.21% increase from 4.480mt last year.

Exports from the South grew by 13.89% to 5.491mt compared to 4.822mt in the corresponding period. Total dispatches by South-based mills rose 10.19% to 10.250mt, up from 9.302mt.

A spokesperson for APCMA urged the government to offer incentives for the cement sector in the upcoming budget to boost demand and make cement more affordable.

He said such measures would help the industry utilize idle capacity and achieve economies of scale.

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