Pakistan: domestic demand up in February

Total cement sales in Pakistan in February 2017 were 3.435Mt, down by 0.41 per cent from 3.449Mt during the corresponding month of last year, according to the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

Domestic cement sales reached 3.181Mt, up 6.7 per cent YoY. While domestic sales rebounded in February, exports saw a 45 per cent drop. Exports reached 0.254Mt, representing a 45.7 per cent fall when compared with February 2016.

On cumulative basis, during the first eight months of the fiscal year the country dispatched 26.339Mt cement, showing an overall growth of 6.4 per cent over the corresponding period of last fiscal. During this period the domestic consumption increased by 9.12 per cent, but exports declined by 8.54 percent.
 
APCMA once again urged the government to take effective steps to stop the penetration of Iranian cement in Pakistani markets on the strength of significant under-invoicing and misdeclaration. A proper vigilance and accountability system needs to be put in place to stop cement smuggling into the country. Government should also increase import duty for import of clinker and cement to protect the local industry, said APCMA.