Pakistan's seaborne exports grow July 2018-March 2019

Cement exports during the first nine months of July 2018 to March 2019 recorded a YoY growth of 32.8 per cent and 55.4 per cent in terms of value in dollar and quantity, respectively, according to Pakistan's Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The rise in cement exports came on the back of an increase in seaborne clinker and cement exports. However, exports to Afghanistan and India contracted by 17.2 and 20.1 per cent, respectively.

Pakistan's cement industry earned foreign exchange revenues of US$221.25m by exporting 5.188Mt of cement/clinker during the 9MFY18-19, compared to US$166.59m at 3.33Mt in the same period last year, according to the PBS. This translates a YoY growth of 32.8 per cent in terms of value in dollars and 55.4 per cent in terms of volume, respectively.
 In terms of Pakistani rupees, the exports advanced 63.3 per cent YoY during this period to PKR29.18bn (US$205.9m). However, the value in US dollars fell from US$49.9/t to US$42.6/t in the reporting period.

In March 2019 alone, the country's cement industry earned foreign exchange revenues of US$15.39m by exporting 350,179t compared to US$21.51m at 504,361t in the previous month and US$16.88m from 354,743t during March 2018. This shows a MoM decrease of 28.5 and 30.6 per cent in terms of value and volume, respectively and a further fall of 8.8 per cent and 1.3 per cent in terms value and quantity, respectively YoY basis.

According to All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), exports to Afghanistan and India fell by 17.2 per cent to 1.23Mt and 20.1 per cent to 715,835t, respectively during this period. However, seaborne exports of cement increased to 1.496Mt and of clinker to 1.683Mt, representing a rise of 42 and 100 per cent, respectively.