Cement sales jump 24 percent

Pakistan cement sales have recorded a growth of 24 per cent in August, as total cement sales stood at 1.292 million tons compared to 1.044 million tons of same period last year.  According to the data compiled by Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), export of cement went up to 64,000 tons with a growth of 68 percent year-on-year basis in August 2004. The total export stood at 157,024 tons in August this year compared to 93,371 tons of August 2003.

"The growth is coming in the cement sector only because of rising demand in the local market and exports," said Mohammad Sohail, research head at Invest capital and Securities, a local brokerage house.

He said most cement companies are going to further expand capacity to meet local and export demand. Total cement sales during the month of August remained 1.292 million tons compared 1.044 million tons of August 2003, data of the association said. However, total local cement consumption remained 1.135 million tons compared 1.362 million tons of July, the data of the association said.

According to the APCMA, Lucky Cement’s total production fell 8 percent in August from same period last year. Lucky Cement’s exports went up 432 percent in August. The company’s local dispatches went down by 26 percent in August compared to the same period last year.