LAHORE, November 4, 2026 — Pakistan’s cement industry recorded a 2.93% increase in total dispatches during the first four months of the current fiscal year, supported by stronger domestic demand despite a significant decline in exports.
According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), total cement dispatches reached 17.953 million tonnes during July–October FY2026-27, compared with 17.442 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year.
Domestic dispatches increased by 5.93% to 14.889 million tonnes, up from 14.055 million tonnes a year earlier. In contrast, export dispatches fell by 9.51% to 3.064 million tonnes from 3.387 million tonnes.
October Cement Dispatches Edge Up
During October 2026, total cement dispatches rose marginally by 0.37% to 4.810 million tonnes, compared with 4.792 million tonnes in October 2025.
Domestic sales increased by 1.17% to 4.041 million tonnes from 3.994 million tonnes. However, exports declined by 3.67% to 768,754 tonnes, compared with 798,019 tonnes in the same month last year.
The figures indicate that growth in the domestic market helped offset weaker export performance during the month.
Northern Mills Face Export Setback
Cement mills based in northern Pakistan recorded total dispatches of 3.397 million tonnes in October, down 3.13% from 3.507 million tonnes a year earlier.
Domestic dispatches from northern mills edged up 0.13% to 3.397 million tonnes from 3.393 million tonnes. However, the region recorded no cement exports during October, compared with 114,082 tonnes in October 2025.
During July–October, northern mills dispatched 12.344 million tonnes domestically, representing a 4.87% increase from 11.770 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year.
Nevertheless, total dispatches from the region declined by 1.61% to 12.344 million tonnes, as exports fell to zero from 775,948 tonnes recorded during the same four-month period last year.
Southern Mills Record Stronger Growth
Southern cement manufacturers reported comparatively stronger performance in both domestic and export markets.
Total dispatches from southern mills increased by 9.90% to approximately 1.41 million tonnes in October, compared with 1.29 million tonnes a year earlier.
Domestic dispatches rose by 7.05% to 643,816 tonnes from 601,401 tonnes, while exports increased by 12.40% to 768,754 tonnes from 683,937 tonnes.
During the first four months of FY2026-27, domestic dispatches from southern mills climbed 11.36% to 2.545 million tonnes, compared with 2.285 million tonnes last year.
Exports also increased by 17.38% to 3.064 million tonnes from 2.611 million tonnes. Consequently, total dispatches from southern mills rose 14.57% to 5.610 million tonnes, up from 4.896 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
Domestic Demand Supports Industry Performance
The latest figures highlight the growing contribution of domestic demand to Pakistan’s cement industry, even as export performance remains uneven across regions.
While northern manufacturers faced a sharp setback following the suspension of export shipments, southern mills recorded growth in both local sales and overseas deliveries.
The industry’s overall performance during the first four months of FY2026-27 was therefore driven primarily by stronger domestic dispatches, which helped sustain growth despite lower exports.
