Local sales of cement rise, exports falter

KARACHI: The first quarter of FY27 saw domestic cement sales rise by eight per cent to 10.845 million tonnes, compared with 10.062 million tonnes in the same period of the previous fiscal year, signalling improvement in construction activity. However, export despatches fell 11.31pc to 2.296m tonnes in July-September from 2.589m tonnes a year ago. Total cement despatches (domestic and exports) rose 4pc to 13.141m tonnes in 1QFY27. According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manu­facturers Assoc­iation, local cement despatches in September were 3.788m tonnes, up 7.35pc from 3.529m tonnes in the same month last year. Export despatches were almost flat at 832,173 tonnes compared to 831,966 tonnes in September. Total cement despatches (local and exports) during September were 4.621m tonnes, up from 4.361 m tonnes in the same month last fiscal year, a six per cent increase. A spokesman for the All Pakistan Cement Manuf­acturers Associ­ation expre­ssed concerns about the decline in exports and the continued instability in energy prices. He was optimistic that the geopolitical tensions would be resolved soon, enabling the cement and allied industries to come out of this difficult situation. Rabia Yousuf of Topline Securities said total cement capacity utilisation was estimated at 51pc, up from 50pc in September 2025 and 47pc in August 2026. She said average retail cement prices rose by 10pc year-on-year to Rs1,550 per bag in September from Rs1,408 mainly due to higher fuel and transportation costs. Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026