In Pakistan, local sales of cement between July 2014 and March 2015 were up 8.43% y/y to 20.34 million t, from 18.76 million t. Meanwhile, exports fell by 9.58% y/y to 5.44 million t. In the 9-month period, total sales grew by just over 4% y/y to 25.78 million t.
In March alone, cement despatches to the local market were up almost 4% to 2.56 million t, while exports fell 39% to 443 000 t, bringing total sales in March down by almost 6%. Regionally, cement sales in the north of Pakistan fell 6%, while in the south sales were up 12%. Exports from the north fell 40% y/y and from the south were down 8% y/y.
According to reports, cement exports to Afghanistan were 2.06 million t in the 9-month period in question, compared to 2.75 million t in the same period of the previous fiscal year. The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) has reportedly said that illegal imports from Iran and misdeclarations of imports through customs have also had an impact on the cement industry. Pakistan has substantial overcapacity, so ought to be self-sufficient in cement. The APCMA is allegedly asking the government to intervene to save the industry.
Edited from various sources by Katherine Guenioui
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