Cement despatches rise 11.14% in April

Local sales up 20.17% as exports decline 18.22%, data shows

LAHORE:

Total cement despatches increased by 11.14% in April 2026, rising to 3.890 million tonnes from 3.500 million tonnes in the same month last year, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) on Monday.

Local despatches by the industry during April 2026 were 3.217 million tonnes, compared with 2.677 million tonnes in April 2025, an increase of 20.17%. In contrast, exports declined by 18.22%, falling from 823,032 tonnes to 673,058 tonnes.

North?based cement mills despatched 2.662 million tonnes in domestic markets in April, up 18.25% from 2.251 million tonnes a year earlier. There were no exports from the north in April. Total despatches by north?based mills stood at 2.662 million tonnes, a 12.52% increase.

South?based mills despatched 555,104 tonnes in local markets during April, 30.35% higher than 425,869 tonnes in April 2025. Exports from the south fell 5.01% to 673,058 tonnes from 708,565 tonnes. Total despatches by south?based mills were 1.228 million tonnes, up 8.26%.

During the first ten months of the current fiscal year, total cement despatches (domestic and exports) were 42.396 million tonnes, 9.83% higher than 38.600 million tonnes in the same period last year. Domestic despatches rose 11.33% to 34.785 million tonnes, while exports increased 3.47% to 7.611 million tonnes.

North?based mills despatched 29.014 million tonnes domestically during July?April, up 12.56%, while exports from the north declined 35.39% to 797,679 tonnes. South?based mills saw domestic despatches rise 5.56% to 5.771 million tonnes and exports increase 11.31% to 6.813 million tonnes.

An APCMA spokesperson said the association expects an improved geopolitical situation in the coming weeks to strengthen the global economy and reduce energy uncertainty. He also anticipated industry?friendly policies in the upcoming federal budget to provide competitiveness in cement operations.