Pakistan exports volumes fall, rise in value terms

Pakistan exports during the first seven months of the current fiscal year (FY12-13) fell 0.52 per cent to 5.076Mt, according to data released by Pakistan’s Federal Bureau of Statistics. In terms of value, however, exports rose by 24.67 per cent to US$273.33m.

The average export price of cement increased by 25.31 per cent to US$67.12/t in the seven months from US$53.56/t of 7MFY 2011-12

In January 2012 alone, Pakistan exported 488,884t of cement and earned US$36.25m compared to 902,109t at US$59.43m in December 2012. This shows a decrease of 45.81 per cent in terms of quantity and 38.99 per cent in terms of value in dollar respectively on MoM basis.

Furthermore, if compared with January 2012 data of 684,037t cement at US$ 38.30m, cement exports recorded a YoY fall of 28.53 and 5.36 per ?cent in terms of quantity and US dollars, respectively.

Afghanistan was the biggest importer of Pakistan cement during 7MFY13.  However, exports to that market recorded a fall of 3.39 per cent to 2.64Mt. Indian exports also recorded a decline of 39 per cent to 240,085t. The rest of the quantity was exported to other Middle East and African countries which also showed some negative trends.

According to a statement released by Cement Manufacturers Association?(APCMA), a gradual recovery in domestic cement consumption during the first seven months of the current fiscal saved the day for the cement industry which has been constantly losing its export market since last year.

An APCMA spokesman said there was a serious energy crisis prevailing in the  country and during the last month half of the cement units located in the ?northern part of the country were not operating at optimum levels.?? Industry experts said the cement sector was not fully utilising its capacity? which was hampering its capability to service its loans. As such, they argue that either ?the economy would have to move into top gear or exports would have to ?increase. India and Afghanistan, the industry believes, are the two markets that should ?be exploited with full facilitation from the Pakistan government.