Pakistan eight-month sales ahead

Pakistan sales increased 3.2 per cent over the first eight months over the current fiscal, according to initial data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

A breakdown of figures over the eight month period from July 2012 to February 2013 shows that domestic sales grew by six per cent to 15.7Mt but export fell by 4.3 per cent to 5.4Mt

The local sales showed growth due to accelerated Public Sector Development  Programme  (PSDP) spending by the government during the first half of the fiscal ahead of the general election.

The negative growth in export is expected to continue due to a slowdown in global demand coupled with commissioning of new capacities in the region.??Out of total sales of 21.1Mt in 8MFY13, Lucky Cement produced 3.9Mt (+2.1 per cent), DG Khan 2.5Mt (-0.9 per cent), Fauji Cement 1.6Mt (+30 per cent), Cherat Cement 0.6Mt (+2.7 per cent), Kohat Cement 1.1Mt (+9.5 per cent), Attock Cement 1.1Mt (-3.9 per cent) and Maple Leaf Cement 1.6Mt (+2.1 per cent).

Analyst expects local dispatches to improve going forward due to improving weather conditions and better farmers’ liquidity amid winter harvest. Historically, Mar-Jun period is the strongest period for local sales, traditionally accounting for around 37 per cent of the full year total.