The increase in domestic cement demand has been complemented by surging exports for the second month, as cement exports from Pakistan increased by a whopping 85 % in March 2018.
According to the figures released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), the total cement sales in March 2018 were 4.652 million tons, the highest ever in the history of the cement industry.
This was 17.33 percent higher than the sales of 3.965 million tons achieved in March 2017. Domestic consumption was 4.260 million tons out of which 3.543 million tons was consumed in the northern part and 0.717 million tons was consumed in the southern part of the country, reflecting a growth of 13.52 percent.
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Domestic cement sales from the south were 5.426 million tons, up 11.83 percent, while exports were 1.014 million tons, down 17.38 percent.
The capacity utilization of the industry for the nine months of current fiscal is 93.74 percent, the highest ever in the history of the industry.
APCMA said that cement industry is among the highest contributors to the national exchequer over the last few years with a contribution of Rs. 110 billion in 2016-17.
Cement Prices continue to Rise
Cement makers are taking a seventh consecutive jump of increases in prices, especially in the North, amid a period of low demand ahead, according to news reports.
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The prices are expected to be increased and will be over and above the recent price hike of Rs 40 to 50 per bag. This will be done keeping in mind the devaluation of the rupee from the beginning of last month.
The current price range for the north region remained around Rs 490-530 per bag while the prices in south region remained stable at Rs 570-600 per bag range.
