Pakistan export earnings rise in FY12-13

In the fiscal year ending 30 June 2013, Pakistan exported 9.073Mt of cement on revenues of US$577.73m compared to 8.748Mt at US$498.84m in the corresponding period of last year. These latest figures from Pakistan’s Federal Bureau of Statistics show that export volumes rose by 3.71 per cent while in dollar value terms, they were 15.81 per cent higher compared to the comparative period a year earlier.

In terms of the Pakistan rupee, exports rose by 25.23 per cent to PKR55.87bn during FY13. The average export price advanced by 11.66 per cent to US$63.67/t compared to US$57.02/t in FY12.??On a MoM basis, however, export sales in June 2013 fell 3.43 per cent in volume terms to 871,764t compared to 902,724t the month before. In value terms, exports amounted to US$53.33m last month compared to US$55.65m in May, a decline of 4.16 per cent.

Furthermore, if compared with June 2012 export data of 834,792t cement at US$52.04m, exports were down  4.43 and 2.49 per cent in terms of quantity and value in dollar respectively on a YoY basis.??Through the year, exports to Afghanistan recorded a fall of 6.58 per cent to 4.40Mt, volumes to India were down 20.35 per cent to 482,215t. However, exports to Pakistan’s other markets rose by seven per cent.

According to industry sources, Pakistan’s cement exports to Afghanistan were affected by tough competition with Iran, as well as transport and other issues. Exports to India, on the other hand, suffered due to non trade barriers. However the cement industry is optimistic that the new Pakistan government is keen to improve bilateral relations with the neighbouring country leading to an increase in further exports.