WEB DESK: The cement industry saw mixed trends in December 2024, with a decline in local dispatches but a notable surge in exports, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) on Thursday.
December 2024 performance
- Local Dispatches: Domestic cement dispatches stood at 3.37 million tons, reflecting a 4.76 per cent decline compared to 3.539 million tons in December 2023.
- Exports: Exports increased by a robust 49.35 per cent, rising from 524,656 tons in December 2023 to 783,550 tons in December 2024.
- Total Dispatches: Combined dispatches (domestic and exports) for December 2024 amounted to 4.154 million tons, marking a 2.23 per cent increase from 4.063 million tons in December 2023.
Regional Breakdown for December 2024
- North-Based Mills:
- Total dispatches: 2.9 million tons, down 3.71 per cent from 3.012 million tons in December 2023.
- Domestic dispatches: 2.786 million tons, a 5.11 per cent decline from 2.936 million tons.
- Exports: 114,089 tons, up 50.18 per cent from 75,967 tons in December 2023.
- South-Based Mills:
- Total dispatches: 1.254 million tons, a 19.25 per cent increase from 1.052 million tons in December 2023.
- Domestic dispatches: 584,684 tons, down 3.04 per cent from 603,010 tons.
- Exports: 669,461 tons, up 49.2 per cent from 448,689 tons.
July-December 2024: First Half of FY2025
- Total Dispatches: Combined dispatches for the first six months were 22.933 million tons, a 3.97 per cent decrease from 23.881 million tons in the same period last fiscal year.
- Domestic Dispatches: Declined by 10.41 per cent to 18.122 million tons compared to 20.228 million tons in the previous year.
- Exports: Increased significantly by 31.69 per cent to 4.810 million tons from 3.653 million tons.
Regional trends:
- North-Based Mills:
- Domestic dispatches: 15.185 million tons, down 9.46 per cent from 16.772 million tons.
- Exports: 992,413 tons, up 28.81 per cent from 770,470 tons.
- Total dispatches: 16.177 million tons, a 7.78 per cent decline from 17.542 million tons.
- South-Based Mills:
- Domestic dispatches: 2.937 million tons, down 15.02 per cent from 3.456 million tons.
- Exports: 3.817 million tons, up 32.47 per cent from 2.882 million tons.
- Total dispatches: 6.755 million tons, a 6.57 per cent increase from 6.339 million tons.
APCMA’s concerns
The APCMA spokesman expressed concerns over the persistent decline in local cement demand, which plays a vital role in economic growth. He urged the government to reduce duties and taxes to lower costs and stimulate sales, enabling the sector to operate at full capacity.
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