Pakistan cement despatches fall 21% in May as domestic sales, exports decline

Pakistan's cement industry recorded a sharp decline in sales during May 2026, with total cement despatches falling 21.02% year-on-year to 3.837 million tonnes compared with 4.858 million tonnes dispatched in the same month last year, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

The decline was driven by weaker domestic demand and lower export volumes. Local cement despatches stood at 3.205 million tonnes in May 2026, down 17.17% from 3.869 million tonnes in May 2025.

Exports also registered a significant contraction, falling 36.06% to 632,648 tonnes from 989,434 tonnes a year earlier.

North-based cement mills dispatched 2.657 million tonnes during May, a decrease of 22% compared with 3.407 million tonnes in the corresponding month of last year. South-based mills dispatched 1.180 million tonnes, down 18.70% from 1.452 million tonnes.

In the domestic market, North-based mills sold 2.657 million tonnes, reflecting a decline of 16.05% from 3.165 million tonnes in May 2025. South-based mills dispatched 547,528 tonnes locally, compared with 703,827 tonnes in the same month last year, a drop of 22.21%.

No cement exports were recorded from North-based mills during May. Exports from South-based mills declined 15.41% to 632,648 tonnes from 747,856 tonnes in May 2025.

Despite the weak monthly performance, cumulative cement despatches during the first eleven months of fiscal year 2025-26 remained higher than the corresponding period last year.

Total cement despatches, including domestic sales and exports, reached 46.26 million tonnes during July-May FY26, up 6.44% from 43.46 million tonnes recorded in the same period of FY25.

Domestic cement despatches during the eleven-month period increased 8.26% to 38.01 million tonnes, compared with 35.11 million tonnes a year earlier.

Export volumes, however, slipped 1.21% to 8.24 million tonnes from 8.34 million tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Commenting on the outlook, an APCMA spokesperson expressed optimism regarding the upcoming federal budget and said the industry expected policy measures that would support local manufacturing and help address operational challenges facing the sector. The spokesperson also appreciated Pakistan's efforts aimed at reducing geopolitical tensions and promoting stability in the Middle East.