Cement despatches fall 21% in May: APCMA

Pakistan’s cement despatches fell 21.02% in May 2026 to 3.837 million tonnes, with both domestic sales and exports declining. However, total despatches in the first 11 months of the fiscal year were still up 6.44%.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cement despatches dropped sharply in May 2026, with total volumes falling 21.02% to 3.837 million tonnes from 4.858 million tonnes in the same month of the previous fiscal year, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

The decline was recorded in both domestic sales and exports. Local despatches fell 17.17% to 3.205 million tonnes in May from 3.869 million tonnes a year earlier, while export volumes decreased 36.06% to 632,648 tonnes from 989,434 tonnes.

Regional breakdown

APCMA data showed that mills in the northern region despatched 2.657 million tonnes in May 2026, down 22% from 3.407 million tonnes in May 2025. Mills in the south despatched 1.180 million tonnes, marking a decline of 18.70% compared with 1.452 million tonnes in the same month last year.

In the domestic market, north-based mills sold 2.657 million tonnes, down 16.05% from 3.165 million tonnes. South-based mills sold 547,528 tonnes locally, a decrease of 22.21% from 703,827 tonnes.

There were no exports from north-based mills in May 2026. South-based mills exported 632,648 tonnes during the month, down 15.41% from 747,856 tonnes in May 2025.

Eleven-month performance

Despite the decline in May, cumulative despatches during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year showed overall growth. Total domestic and export despatches during July 2025 to May 2026 stood at 46.26 million tonnes, up 6.44% from 43.46 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Domestic despatches for the 11-month period rose 8.26% to 38.01 million tonnes from 35.11 million tonnes, while export despatches slipped 1.21% to 8.24 million tonnes from 8.34 million tonnes.

North-based mills despatched 31.689 million tonnes in the domestic market during the period, compared with 28.943 million tonnes a year earlier, an increase of 9.49%. Their exports fell 45.98% to 797,431 tonnes from 1.476 million tonnes, bringing total despatches by northern mills to 32.487 million tonnes, up 6.80% from 30.419 million tonnes.

South-based mills recorded domestic despatches of 6.323 million tonnes during July 2025 to May 2026, up 2.47% from 6.170 million tonnes. Their exports rose 8.41% to 7.447 million tonnes from 6.869 million tonnes, taking total despatches by southern mills to 13.770 million tonnes, up 5.60% from 13.039 million tonnes.

An APCMA spokesperson appreciated Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to ease geopolitical tensions and promote peace in the Middle East. The spokesperson also expressed optimism about the upcoming federal budget and said the industry expected supportive government policies to help local manufacturers and address operational bottlenecks.