Cement sales slip 6.6pc as subdued construction activity persists

Construction activity remained subdued during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, with local cement sales dropping by 6.6 per cent to 27.46 million tonnes, compared to 29.4m tonnes in the same period last year. However, exports showed a significant improvement, rising by 28pc to 6.53m tonnes from 5.1m tonnes year-on-year, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA). Total cement despatches — including both domestic sales and exports — stood at 33.99m tonnes during July-March FY25, down 1.48pc from 34.5m tonnes in the year-ago period. North-based cement mills recorded domestic despatches of 22.79m tonnes during the nine-month period, a decline of 6pc from 24.24m tonnes in the same period last year. Exports from the North rose by 7.8pc to 1.12m tonnes, up from 1.039m tonnes.