Pakistan’s cement industry recorded a noticeable fall in exports during the first eight months of the FY15-16 on the back of falling demand, competition and other issues.
 
The data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) revealed that Pakistan exported 4.01Mt of cement and earned export revenue of US$219.67m during July-Feb 2016, down by 27.9 per cent and 32.2 per cent in terms of quantity and value in dollars, respectively. Last year export volumes reached 5.57Mt, with a value of US$324.03m.
 
The average price of cement also fell to US$54.69/t from US$58.6/t during this period. 
 
On positive note, in February 2016 alone, Pakistan exported cement 519,540t at US$28.13 compared to 393,391t at US$21.1m in January 2016 translating an increase of 32.07 per cent and 33.26 per cent in terms of quantity and dollar value, respectively on MoM basis. However, if compared with February 2015 exports of 525,332t at US$29.34m, it showed a YoY drop of 1.10 and 4.14 per cent in terms of volume and value, respectively.
 
To increase exports, a spokesman of All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association has requested the government for 3-4 per cent incentive on export via sea. The industry is operating at a capacity of more than 80 per cent and with a little support of government, industry can do wonders. He regretted that the problems faced by the industry still remain unresolved. He said the duty on coal has still not been withdrawn.