Pakistan’s cement industry witnessed a notable uptick in March 2024 sales, marking a positive trajectory for the sector.
According to the latest data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), cement sales recorded a 3.85 percent increase compared to the same month last year.
The statistics revealed that cement sales reached 3.941 million tonnes in March 2024, reflecting growth from the 3.795 million tonnes recorded in March of the previous year.
Despite a slight decline of 0.62% in domestic sales, the industry saw a significant surge of 38% in cement exports during March 2024, reaching 605,142 tons. In contrast, March 2023 witnessed exports totaling 438,433 tons.
The positive trend extends to the broader scope of the financial year, as total cement sales during the first nine months of the fiscal year showed a 2.68% increase, reaching 34.502 million tons.
Comparatively, the same period in the previous fiscal year saw sales totaling 33.6 million tons. Particularly noteworthy is the remarkable 68.03% rise in cement exports during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, standing at 5.101 million tons.
Expressing optimism for the future, a spokesperson for the APCMA highlighted the industry's anticipation of increased construction activity under the new government. Despite the industry's efforts to enhance production capacity, there remains untapped potential, indicating room for further growth and development.
With construction being a vital sector for economic progress and employment generation, stakeholders are hopeful that the new government will address the concerns of the cement industry and facilitate an environment conducive to sustained growth.
As the industry continues to navigate challenges and opportunities, stakeholders remain committed to maximizing the sector's potential and contributing to Pakistan's economic prosperity.
