However, seaborne exports have fallen significantly by 24% QoQ to 0.85Mt while cement exports overall advanced by a mere 0.21% YoY. Producers have attributed the limited export volumes to a sharp increase in input costs, particularly energy and transportation costs.
Power prices rose by 9% to PKR7.1/kWh to PKR7.7/kWh with increasing load shedding. In addition, rates of diesel and coal have climbed by 15% and 8%, respectively while furnace oil prices have surged by 28%.
On a more positive note, the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers’ Association (APCMA) added that local cement sales improved as the domestic market picked up by 12.23% during the first quarter. Cement producers in the north sold 4.23Mt while their southern counterparts delivered 0.945Mt in the Jul-Sep 2011 period.
