Islamabad, Mar 4, 2025: Cement sales in Pakistan recorded a modest rise in February 2025, with total industry dispatches reaching 3.596 million tons, reflecting a 10.15% year-on-year (YoY) increase, as per data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).
In comparison, February 2024’s total dispatches stood at 3.265 million tons. Local cement consumption rose by 6.82%, with 3.065 million tons supplied to domestic markets in February 2025, up from 2.869 million tons during the same period last year.
However, domestic demand did not surge as expected, despite an 11.64% month-on-month (MoM) increase observed in January 2025. Exports, on the other hand, saw a significant boost, climbing 34.3% YoY as shipments surged from 395,935 tons in February 2024 to 531,736 tons in February 2025.
Regional Performance
Cement dispatches from North-based mills totaled 2.556 million tons in February 2025, marking a 5.06% increase from 2.433 million tons a year earlier. Meanwhile, South-based cement plants supplied 1.04 million tons, demonstrating a notable 25.04% rise from 0.831 million tons in February 2024.
In domestic markets, North-based mills distributed 2.507 million tons, a 7.22% YoY growth compared to 2.338 million tons last year. South-based mills, however, showed only a marginal increase of 5.06%, dispatching 557,895 tons, up from 531,044 tons in February 2024.
Export trends varied across regions, with North-based exports plunging by 47.82%, dropping from 95,393 tons in February 2024 to 49,780 tons in February 2025. Conversely, exports from South surged by 60.36%, rising to 481,956 tons compared to 300,542 tons in the previous year.
Eight-Month Performance (July-February FY25)
Total cement dispatches (local and exports) for the first eight months of FY25 stood at 30.423 million tons, reflecting a 0.45% dip compared to 30.560 million tons during the same period last year.
Domestic sales dropped 6%, reaching 24.5 million tons compared to 26.06 million tons in the corresponding period of FY24. However, exports surged by 31.78%, totaling 5.924 million tons, up from 4.495 million tons last year.
From July to February 2025, North-based mills’ domestic dispatches fell by 5.28% to 20.36 million tons, while exports from the region climbed 20.42% to 1.101 million tons. Consequently.
Total dispatches from the North declined by 4.23%, reaching 21.462 million tons compared to 22.410 million tons last year.
In the South, domestic dispatches dipped by 9.42%, dropping to 4.139 million tons, while exports from the region jumped by 34.68%, reaching 4.822 million tons. This led to an overall 9.96% YoY increase in total South-based dispatches.
Which reached 8.962 million tons in the first eight months of FY25, compared to 8.150 million tons last year.
Industry Outlook
A spokesperson from APCMA expressed optimism regarding the upcoming federal budget, urging the government to introduce industry-friendly policies that could enhance capacity utilization.
The cement industry, being a key driver of economic growth, also supports several allied industries, making its stability crucial for overall economic progress, he added.
