Pakistan’s cement industry performed steadily in September 2026, with domestic dispatches rising 7.4 per cent YoY to 3.788Mt, up from 3.529Mt in September 2025, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA). Exports remained almost unchanged at 832,173t, compared with 831,966t last year. Total cement dispatches during the month stood at 4.621Mt, up six per cent from 4.361Mt in the same period last year.

North-based mills delivered 3.164Mt, down 2.4 per cent from 3.242Mt in September 2025, while South-based mills posted a robust 30.2 per cent increase to 1.46Mt from 1.12Mt. Domestic dispatches from the North rose 4.7 per cent to 3.164Mt, and South-based mills recorded a 23 per cent increase to 624,833t.

Exports from the North remained nil, down from 221,252t last year, while South-based exports surged 36.3 per cent to 832,173t from 610,714t.

1QFY26-27 performance
During the first quarter of FY26-27, total cement deliveries (domestic and exports) reached 13.141Mt, up 3.9 per cent from 12.651Mt in the same period last year. Domestic dispatches rose 7.8 per cent to 10.845Mt, while exports fell 11.3 per cent to 2.296Mt.

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North-based mills dispatched 8.946Mt domestically, up 6.8 per cent from 8.377Mt, with no exports recorded, compared with 661,866t previously. Total North dispatches declined slightly by 1.02 per cent to 8.946Mt. South-based mills, meanwhile, posted a 12.7 per cent rise in domestic dispatches to 1.899Mt and a 19.2 per cent increase in exports to 2.296Mt, bringing total South despatches to 4.195Mt, up 16.2 per cent YoY.

Industry concern
An APCMA spokesman expressed concern over the decline in exports and the continued instability in energy prices but remained optimistic that easing geopolitical tensions would help stabilise the sector and support recovery in cement and allied industries.

by Abdul R Siddiqi, Pakistan