LAHORE: The cement sector posted a growth of 40.41% in April 2021 as total sales reached 4.94 million tons against 3.52 million tons in the same month of previous year.
According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), local cement sales in April 2021 rose to 4.1 million tons against 3.27 million tons in April 2020, showing a growth of 24.29% boosted by robust construction activities.
Exports increased by a significant 252%, rising from 249,127 tons in April 2020 to 877,163 tons in April 2021.
Cement mills based in northern Pakistan sold 3.38 million tons in domestic markets, an increase of 15.33% over 2.93 million tons sold in April 2020.
The mills based in southern Pakistan recorded 100% growth in sales as they shipped 688,239 tons to the local market in April 2021. These mills had dispatched 342,594 tons in April 2020.
Exports from the mills in northern part of the country registered a staggering 155-fold increase as volumes soared from 1,609 tons in April 2020 to 250,072 tons in April 2021.
Exports from south-based mills soared 153.35% to 627,091 tons in April 2021 as compared to 247,519 tons in the same month of last year.
During the first 10 months (Jul-Apr) of the ongoing fiscal year, total cement sales stood at 48.27 million tons, which were 19% higher than 40.55 million tons sold in the corresponding period of previous fiscal year.
During the 10-month period, local sales increased by 18.87%, going up from 33.86 million tons in Jul-Apr FY20 to 40.25 million tons in Jul-Apr FY21.
Exports rose from 6.7 million tons in the first 10 months of previous fiscal year to 8 million tons in Jul-Apr FY21, showing a growth of 19.84%.
During the period, the mills based in the northern region shipped 34 million tons of cement to the local market, up 17.51% than 28.9 million tons in the same period of last year.
Exports from the northern region amounted to 2.2 million tons, showing a rise of 12.75% over 1.92 million tons shipped abroad during the same period of last fiscal year.
Local sales from south-based mills rose 27% to 6.24 million tons in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year. Mills in the southern region had sold 4.92 million tons in the corresponding period of previous fiscal year.
Exports of cement from southern Pakistan were recorded at 5.86 million tons, an increase of 22.69% over 4.78 million tons in the same period of last year.
