April 5, 2025: According to the data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, local cement despatches by the industry during March 2025 were 2.961 million tons compared to 3.338 million tons in March 2024, showing a decline of 11.31%. Export despatches were almost flat, with a volume of 608,614 tons in March 2025 compared to 605,142 tons in March 2024. Total cement despatches during March 2025 were 3.569 million tons against 3.944 million tons despatched during the same month of the last fiscal year, showing a decline of 9.48%.
Regional Performance: North vs. South in March 2025
In March 2025, North-based cement mills despatched 2.450 million tons of cement, showing a decline of 14.54% against 2.866 million tons despatched in March 2024. South-based mills despatched 1.12 million tons of cement during March 2025, showing a marginal improvement of 3.96% over the despatches of 1.07 million tons during March 2024.
Domestic Market Performance in March 2025
North-based cement mills despatched 2.431 million tons of cement in domestic markets in March 2025, showing a decline of 11.33% against 2.742 million tons despatched in March 2024. South-based mills despatched 529,750 tons of cement in local markets during March 2025, which was also 11.23% less compared to the despatches of 596,751 tons during March 2024.
Export Performance: Sharp Decline in North, Growth in South
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 the South, however, increased by 22.82%, reaching 590,106 tons in March 2025 from 480,470 tons during the same month last year.
Nine-Month Performance (July 2024 – March 2025)
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 than the 34.503 million tons despatched during the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.
Domestic Despatches Decline, Exports Rise
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, increasing by 28.08% as volumes rose to 6.532 million tons during the first nine months of the current fiscal year compared to 5.10 million tons exported during the same period of the last fiscal year.
North-Based Mills Performance
North-based mills despatched 22.791 million tons of cement domestically during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, showing a reduction of 5.96% compared to 24.236 million tons despatched during July-March 2024. Exports from the North increased by 7.76% to 1.12 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 the first nine months of the current financial year from 25.276 million tons during the same period of the last financial year.
South-Based Mills Performance
Domestic despatches by South-based mills during July-March 2025 were 4.669 million tons, showing a reduction of 9.63% over 5.167 million tons of cement despatched during the same period of the last fiscal year. Exports from the South increased by 33.28% to 5.419 million 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 the first nine months of the current financial year from 9.227 million tons during the same period of the last financial year.
APCMA Calls for Tax Relief to Boost Cement Demand
A spokesman of the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association mentioned that cement is an essential commodity and plays a pivotal role in the economy. It provides direct and indirect employment to thousands of skilled and non-skilled workers and stimulates many allied industries. “We are optimistic that policymakers will consider reducing taxes and duties on cement in the upcoming budget to make the commodity more affordable for the masses, thereby increasing domestic off-take,” he added.