Cement dispatches spike 16% in Jul-Sept

Millers say they can achieve even better growth if levies are cut

LAHORE:

Total cement dispatches, including domestic sales and exports, reached 12.161 million tons during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, higher by 16.25% than sales of 10.461 million tons in the corresponding period of last fiscal year.

According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, dispatches to local markets hit 9.573 million tons in July-September 2025 against 8.319 million tons in the same quarter of last year, registering an increase of 15.08%. Exports rose 20.81% as volumes stood at 2.589 million tons compared to 2.143 million tons last year. Following 31.24% month-on-month growth in July 2025 and 13.47% in August 2025, cement dispatches spiked 7.05% in September 2025. Total dispatches in September reached 4.250 million tons against 3.970 million tons in the same month of last year.

A spokesman for the association remarked, "We can achieve even better growth provided the government gives concessions on duties and taxes that will ultimately benefit the end-consumer. Significant rehabilitation work is to be done due to the devastating floods and we expect cooperation from the government."

Local cement dispatches were 3.418 million tons in September 2025 compared to 2.988 million tons in September 2024, showing an increase of 14.38%. On the contrary, exports dropped 15.25% as supplies contracted from 981,646 tons in September 2024 to 831,966 tons in September 2025.

In September 2025, north-based mills sold 3.162 million tons, up 16.41% against 2.717 million tons in September 2024. South-based mills dispatched 1.09 million tons, which was 13.23% less than sales of 1.253 million tons in September last year.

Northern mills provided 2.941 million tons for domestic markets, which marked an increase of 17.02% against 2.513 million tons in September last year. Southern mills supplied 476,465 tons to local markets, up a meagre 0.41% compared to 474,528 tons in the previous year.

Exports from north-based mills rose 8.84% to 221,252 tons in September 2025 versus exports of 203,280 tons in the same month of last year. Exports from the south dived 21.54% to 610,714 tons from 778,366 tons in September 2024.