Cement sales slip 9.5% in March

April 05, 2025 (MLN): Cement despatches in Pakistan fell to 2.961 million tons during March 2025, down 11.31% from 3.338 million tons recorded in the same month last year, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

This drop is driven primarily by a slowdown in domestic demand. 

On the export front, volumes remained largely flat, with 608,614 tons shipped in March 2025 compared to 605,142 tons in March 2024 — a marginal increase of 0.57%.

Overall, total cement despatches for the month stood at 3.569 million tons, marking a 9.48% decrease from 3.944 million tons recorded in March 2024.

In March 2025, North based cement mills despatched 2.450 million tons cement showing a decline of 14.54% against 2.866 million tons despatches in March 2024.

South based mills despatched1.12 million tons cement during March 2025 showing marginal improvement of 3.96% over the despatches of 1.07 million tons during March 2024.

North based cement mills despatched 2.431 million tons cement in domestic markets in March 2025 showing a decline of 11.33% against 2.742 million tons despatches in March 2024.

South based mills despatched 529,750 tons cement in local markets during March 2025 that was also 11.23% less compared to the despatches of 596,751 during March 2024.

Exports from North based mills drastically declined by 85.15% as the quantities dropped from 124,672 tons in March 2024 to just 18,508 tons in March 2025.

Exports from South however increased by 22.82% to 590,106 tons in March 2025 from 480,470 tons during the same month last year.

During the first nine months of the current fiscal year, total cement despatches (domestic and exports) were 33.993 million tons which is 1.48% lower than34.503 million tons despatched during the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

Domestic despatches during this period were 27.461 million tons against 29.403 million tons during the same period last year, showing a reduction of 6.61%.

Export despatches showed an upward trajectory by 28.08% as the volumes increased to 6.532 million tons during the first nine months of the current fiscal year compared to 5.10 million tons exports done during the same period of last fiscal year.

North based Mills despatched 22.791 million tons cement domestically during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, showing a reduction of 5.96% than cement despatches of 24.236 million tons during July-March 2024.

Exports from North increased by 7.76% percent to1.12 million tons during July-March 2025 compared with 1.039 million tons exported during the same period last year.

Total despatches by North based Mills reduced by 5.40% to 23.911 million tons during first nine months of current financial year from25.276 million tons during same period of last financial year.

Domestic despatches by South based Mills during July-March 2025 were 4.669 million tons showing reduction of 9.63% over 5.167 million tons cement despatched during the same period of last fiscal year.

Exports from South increased by 33.28% to 5.419 tons during July-March 2025 compared with 4.061 million tons exported during the same period last year.

Total despatches by South based Mills increased by 9.26% to 10.081 million tons during first nine months of current financial year from 9.227 million tons during same period of last financial year.

A spokesman of All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association mentioned that cement is an essential commodity and plays pivotal role in the economy.

It provides direct and indirect employment to thousands skilled and non-skilled workers and provides stimulus to many allied industries as well.

"We are optimistic that policy makers will give consideration to reduce taxes and duties on cement in the upcoming budget in order to make the commodity affordable to masses, thereby increasing domestic off-take", he added.

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