KARACHI: The country’s cement sector has witnessed record growth during the month of June as the cement despatched to domestic markets increased by 6.97% to 2.714 million tonnes, as compared to 2.537 million tonnes during the same month last year.
According to the data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), during the fiscal year 14-15, the cement industry despatched 28.2 million tonnes in the local markets, posting a growth of 7.89%, as compared to 26.14 million tonnes of local despatches during same period of the last fiscal year.
Looking at the statistics of past several years, Pakistan recorded the highest ever cement despatches of 35.4 million tonnes during fiscal year 14-15. The increase was led by record domestic consumption of 28.2 million tonnes.
The domestic cement despatches increased in the areas catered by the north-based mills by 8.16% to 23.445 million tonnes while the increase in domestic cement despatches of south-based mills was 6.55%, amounting to 4.761 million tonnes.
Exports during June 15 were 552,000 tonnes against 688,000 tonnes during June 14, showing a massive decline of 19.77%.
Total despatches during June 15 were 3.266 million tonnes as compared to 3.225 million tonnes during the same month last year, showing a marginal increase of 1.27%, mainly affected due to the substantial downfall in exports.
Exports from the country declined by 11.58% to 7.2 million tonnes, as compared to exports during the last fiscal year, which were 8.14 million tonnes. The overall situation during fiscal year 14-15 showed a growth of 3.27% compared to the last fiscal year as total despatches increased to 35.4 million tonnes against 34.28 million tonnes from July 13 to June 14.
