Cement despatches rise 7.35pc in September on domestic demand

Pakistan's total cement despatches rose 5.95 per cent year on year to 4.621 million tons in September 2026, as domestic demand grew while exports stayed broadly flat, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association.

Domestic despatches reached 3.788 million tons, up 7.35 per cent from 3.529 million tons in Sep-25, the association's figures show. Export despatches were almost unchanged at 832,173 tons, against 831,966 tons in the same month a year earlier.

The growth was uneven by region. North based mills despatched 3.164 million tons in total, down 2.43 per cent from 3.242 million tons in Sep-25, while south based mills despatched 1.46 million tons, up 30.23 per cent from 1.12 million tons. In the domestic market, north based mills despatched 3.164 million tons, 4.72 per cent more than the 3.021 million tons despatched in Sep-25, while south based mills despatched 624,833 tons, up 22.98 per cent from 508,077 tons.

The export picture diverged sharply by region. North based mills recorded no exports in Sep-26, against 221,252 tons in Sep-25, while southern exports rose 36.26 per cent to 832,173 tons from 610,714 tons. For the first quarter of the current fiscal year, total despatches were 13.141 million tons, 3.88 per cent higher than the 12.651 million tons despatched in the same period a year earlier. Domestic despatches rose 7.79 per cent to 10.845 million tons from 10.062 million tons, while export despatches fell 11.32 per cent to 2.296 million tons from 2.589 million tons.

An association spokesman expressed concern over the decline in exports and continued instability in energy prices. He said he was optimistic that geopolitical tensions would be resolved soon, enabling cement and allied industries to come out of what he described as a difficult situation.