Cement dispatches rises 1.15% in January 2023

• Cement dispatches have increased to 4.005 million tonnes in January 2023.
• North based mills dispatched 19.378 million tonnes of cement domestically.
• Total dispatches by south based mills reduced by 27.63 per cent to 5.778 million tonnes.

LAHORE: Cement dispatches have increased to 4.005 million tonnes in January 2023 as against 3.96 million tonnes during the same month of the last fiscal year, showing an increase of 1.15 per cent.

According to the data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), the local cement dispatches during January 2023 stood at 3.587 million tonnes, compared with 3.409 million tonnes in January 2022, showing an increase of 5.24 per cent.

However, exports declined 24.13 per cent, as the volumes reduced from 551,006 tonnes in January 2022 to 418,067 tonnes in January 2023.

In January 2023, north based mills dispatched 2.892 million tonnes cement, showing an increase of 6.08 per cent against 2.726 million tonnes dispatched in January 2022. South based mills dispatched 1.113 million tonnes cement during January 2023 that was 9.74 per cent less compared to the dispatches of 1.234 million tonnes during January 2022.

North based mills dispatched 2.857 million tonnes of cement in domestic markets in January 2023, showing an increase of 5.32 per cent against 2.712 million tonnes in January 2022. South based mills dispatched 730,703 tonnes cement in local markets during January 2023 that was 4.92 per cent more compared to 696,468 tonnes during January 2022.

Exports from north based mills increased by 156.54 per cent as the quantities increased from 13,727 tonnes in January 2022 to 35,215 tonnes in January 2023. Exports from the south reduced by 28.74 per cent to 382,852 tonnes in January 2023 from 537,279 tonnes during the same month last year.

During the first seven months of the current fiscal year, total cement dispatches (domestic and exports) were 25.769 million tonnes that is 17.97 per cent lower than 31.416 million tonnes dispatched during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.

Domestic dispatches during this period were 23.617 million tonnes against 27.474 million tonnes during the same period last year, showing a reduction of 14.04 per cent. Export dispatches were also 45.40 per cent less as the volumes reduced to 2.152 million tonnes during the first seven months of the current fiscal year compared to 3.942 million tonnes exports during the same period of last fiscal year.

North based mills dispatched 19.378 million tonnes of cement domestically during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, showing a reduction of 15.29 per cent from 22.875 million tonnes during July 2021-January 2022.

Exports from the north increased by 9.98 per cent to 613,289 tonnes during July 2022-January 2023 compared with 557,615 tonnes during the same period last year. Total dispatches by north based mills reduced by 14.69 per cent to 19.992 million tonnes during the first seven months of the current financial year from 23.433 million tonnes during the same period of last financial year.

Domestic dispatches by south based mills during July 2022-January 2023 were 4.239 million tonnes, showing reduction of 7.83 per cent over 4.599 million tonnes during the same period of last fiscal year. Exports from the south declined by 54.53 per cent to 1.539 million tonnes during July 2022-January 2023 compared with 3.384 million tonnes during the same period last year.

Total dispatches by south based mills reduced by 27.63 per cent to 5.778 million tonnes during the first seven months of the current financial year from 7.983 million tonnes during the same period of last financial year.

APCMA spokesman said that the prolonged political instability has badly affected the industry. He mentioned that the industry was facing several challenges due to non-opening of letter of credits for coal, spareparts and other consumable items required for the smooth running of the plants. The government must ensure early opening of letter of credits to avoid any supply disruptions and closure of factories, he said.

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