Pakistan: cement dispatches up but exports decline

During the first six months of current FY16-17, Pakistan's cement industry recorded a growth of 11.07 per cent in local dispatches, while exports declined 3.53 per cent compared during the same period of last year, respectively. The overall situation during July to December 2016 saw 8.65 per cent growth compared to the same period of last fiscal year, according to data released by All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

Sayeed Tariq Saigol, APCMA chairman, said that domestic dispatches in December 2016 were 3.186Mt registering a growth of 6.74 per cent while the exports amounted to 0.369Mt reflecting negative growth of 18.98 per cent, compared to December 2015. Total cement dispatches in December amounted to 3.555Mt depicting a growth of 3.33 per cent. Cement capacity utilisation for the month of December 2016 stood at 90.88 per cent.

During December 2016, exports to Afghanistan decreased from 0.201Mt in December 2015 to 0.149Mt showing a decline of 25.72 per cent. However, exports to India increased from 0.053Mt in December 2015 to 0.087Mt in December 2016, showing growth of 63.20 per cent. Exports to India are mainly through Wahga border and southern coast of India.

Mr Saigol expressed his concern over falling exports to Afghanistan that have declined in the first six months of this fiscal by 11.72 per cent.

Meanwhile, cement exports to India have registered an increase of 79.64 per cent during July-December 2016 period from a very low base, according to APCMA.