Rebounded Pakistani economy has accelerated construction and infrastructure activities boosting local cement consumption. During the first eight months of current fiscal year, domestic consumption increased by 17.49 percent to 20.89 Million Tons from 17.78 Million Tons during same period last year. Contrary to this, exports registered a massive y.o.y. decline of 22.54 percent as the volumes reduced from 5 Million Tons during July 14 ~ Feb 15 to 3.8 Million Tons during July 15 ~ Feb 16. Overall, the cement industry has posted a growth of 8.71 percent during the first eight months of current fiscal year compared with same period during last fiscal year. Total despatches during this period were 24.76 million Tons against 22.78 million Tons during last fiscal year.
During the month of February 16, local sales of cement posted an encouraging growth of 29.79% percent while exports for the first time since Dec 14, showed a slight growth of 1.47% during February 16 compared to exports during February 15, resulting in an overall growth of 25.06 percent compared to same month of last fiscal year. The overall domestic and exports volumes were 2,981,904 Tons and 467,287 Tons respectively during February 16 compared to 2,297,568 Tons and 460,510 Tons during February 15. The domestic sales in north during February 16 were 2,428,597 Tons compared to the domestic sales of 1,885,982 Tons during same month last year showing growth of 28.77 percent. The local sales in South during February 16 were 553,307 Tons compared to the local sales of 411,586 Tons during same month last year showing growth of 34.43 percent. Exports from southern units during February 16 declined by 18.9% to 169,809 Tons against 209,461 Tons done during February 15. Exports from north increased from 251,049 Tons during February 15 to 297,478 Tons during February 16 i.e. by 18.5 percent. Total despatches increased from 2.758 Million Tons during February 15 to 3.449 Million Tons during February 16 showing increase of 25.06 percent that has been the highest overall increase in a month during the first eight months of current fiscal.
