Cement despatches in Pakistan experienced a significant decline during May 2026, with total despatches reaching 3.837 million tons compared to 4.858 million tons in the same month of the previous fiscal year, marking a decrease of 21.02 percent. According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), local cement despatches by the industry in May 2026 were 3.205 million tons, down from 3.869 million tons in May 2025, reflecting a decline of 17.17 percent. Export despatches also fell sharply by 36.06 percent, dropping from 989,434 tons in May 2025 to 632,648 tons in May 2026.
Regional Performance in May 2026
In May 2026, cement mills based in the northern region despatched 2.657 million tons of cement, showing a decline of 22.00 percent compared to 3.407 million tons despatched in May 2025. Southern mills despatched 1.180 million tons, which was 18.70 percent less than the 1.452 million tons despatched during the same month last year. Domestic despatches from northern mills stood at 2.657 million tons, down 16.05 percent from 3.165 million tons in May 2025. Southern mills despatched 547,528 tons in local markets, a decrease of 22.21 percent compared to 703,827 tons in May 2025. Notably, there were no exports from northern mills during May 2026, while exports from southern mills decreased by 15.41 percent to 632,648 tons from 747,856 tons in the same month last year.
Cumulative Performance: July 2025 to May 2026
During the first eleven months of the current fiscal year, total cement despatches (domestic and exports) amounted to 46.26 million tons, which is 6.44 percent higher than the 43.46 million tons despatched during the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. Domestic despatches during this period were 38.01 million tons, up 8.26 percent from 35.11 million tons in the same period last year. However, export despatches declined by 1.21 percent, falling to 8.24 million tons from 8.34 million tons.
Northern mills despatched 31.689 million tons domestically during the first eleven months, an increase of 9.49 percent compared to 28.943 million tons despatched during July 2024 to May 2025. Exports from the north declined sharply by 45.98 percent to 797,431 tons during July 2025 to May 2026 from 1.476 million tons exported in the same period last year. Total despatches by northern mills increased by 6.80 percent to 32.487 million tons from 30.419 million tons.
Southern mills despatched 6.323 million tons domestically during July 2025 to May 2026, an increase of 2.47 percent over 6.170 million tons in the same period last year. Exports from the south rose by 8.41 percent to 7.447 million tons compared to 6.869 million tons exported during the same period last year. Total despatches by southern mills increased by 5.60 percent to 13.770 million tons from 13.039 million tons.
A spokesman for the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association expressed optimism about the upcoming federal budget, expecting the government to introduce policies that support the local industry and address operational bottlenecks.
