The export revenue of cement from Pakistan during the first three months of current financial year (July to September 2017) recorded a YoY fall of 17.84 per cent and 18.89 per cent in terms of quantity and value in dollars, respectively, according to data released by Federal Bureau of Statistics, Government of Pakistan.

The breakdown during the period shows that country exported 1.22Mt of cement and earned export revenue of US$62.69m, compared to 1.48Mt at US$77.29m from July to September 2016. Quantities fell by 17.84 per cent and by value in dollars was down by 18.89 per cent.

The negative trend was also continued in September 2017 as the country exported 352,126t of cement at US$17.76m, compared with 442,945t at US$22.41m in August 2017. This translates to a  contraction in export quantities by 26.50 per cent and by 20.73 per cent in terms of value in dollar on MoM basis when compared with data of Septembert 2016 (477,138t at US$24.52m). Therefore, exports fell by 26.20 per cent and 27.56 per cent in terms of quantity and value in dollar terms, respectively on YoY basis.

During July to September 2017, Pakistan exported 658,488t tof cement to Afghanistan and recorded growth of 14.57 per cent. However, exports to India remain depressed at 276,246t, a fall of 27 per cent. Similarly exports to rest of the world fell by over 40 per cent.

All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) has shown apprehension on the continued decline in exports and requested the government to support the industry to arrest the declining trend.