Pakistan cement exports decline on YoY
Pakistan exported 933.709t of cement and earned US$39.798m in April 2011 compared to 1.573Mt at US$43.005m in March 2011. This reflects a decline of 40.65 per cent and 7.46 per cent in terms of quantity and value in dollar respectively on month-on-month basis, according to data released by Pakistan’s Federal Bureau of Statistics.
Compared to April 2010 data, (1.316Mt at US$40.834m) volumes were down 29.08 and 2.54 per cent in terms of quantity and value in dollar over same month last year, on YoY basis. Similarly, on more negative note, on cumulative basis, the total exports of cement from Pakistan during first 10 months between July and April 2011 period were decreased to 8.292Mt at US$361.950m from 9.085Mt at US$401.558m in corresponding months. This shows cement export fell by 8.73 per cent and 9.86 per cent in terms of quantity and value over corresponding months of last FY 2009-10.
AHCML Research, Karachi pointed out that exports of cement from Pakistan was primarily suffered due to lower international cement prices, thereby making country’s cement uncompetitive for the cement manufacturers in general and for those in north in particular.
According to All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers’ Association (APCMA), exports via sea continue to decline in first 10 months of current fiscal 201-11. It fell by 17.27 per cent to India and 31.68 per cent to other destinations. Clinker exports via sea also declined by 34.57 per cent as compared with the corresponding period last year.
APCMA has attributed number of reasons to fall in cement exports. It said that cement exports to India which amounted to 0.564Mt in the July-April period last fiscal, have slumped to 0.466Mt in July-April 2011. Similarly, export of cement to other countries declined from 4.755 million tons to 3.249mt and clinker export from 0.244Mt to 0.160Mt. Exports to Afghanistan, however, increased by 16.85 per cent during this period from 3.235Mt to 3.780Mt.
A spokesman of APCMA said that increase in diesel, electricity and coal prices has badly hit the cement industry. In addition high inflation and higher interest rates have adversely impacted the viability of the industry as the recession hit consumers are not in a position to bear the increased cost, he added with disappointment. Published under Cement News
