Pakistan cement exports fall
Pakistan cement and clinker export dispatches reached 622,970t in September 2010 compared to 821,413t in corresponding period last year – reflecting a decrease of 24.16 per cent over September 2009, says top cement industry officials.
Afghanistan has emerged the largest importer of cement from Pakistan.
Pakistan’s largest cement manufacturer and exporter, Lucky Cement Ltd, told CemNet that decline in export dispatches of cement was observed due to the weak demand in the international market, particularly for bulk cement.
Pakistan exports bagged cement to Afghanistan and India (by land) and bulk cement to Sudan, UAE, Sri Lank, Yemen and others.
Officials of Lucky Cement reported that demand for bagged cement has increased over that of bulk cement.
According to data released by All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), Pakistan exported 259,920t of cement to Afghanistan, 33,604t to India and 297,446t to other countries by sea. It also exported 32,000t clinker by sea in September 2010 compared to 262,665t, 55,174t, 488,070t and 15,504t respectively in September 2009.
The total exports stood at 2.29Mt during the first quarter of 2010-11 (July-Sept) compared to 2.897Mt in corresponding period last year - recording a fall of 20.95 per cent. The breakdown showed that Pakistan export of cement to Afghanistan grew by 9.53 per cent, but fell 45.47 per cent to India and 33.68 per cent to other countries. Clinker exports also declined 41.47 per cent over last year.
The company pointed out that this negative trend in export dispatches of cement would continue through the next quarter as countries which are importing cement are increasing their own capacity.
Published under Cement News
