Share this story!            

Cement exports grow 155% in 5 months

By Mushfiq Ahmad

KARACHI: Cement sales by Pakistani manufacturers to local and foreign buyers is expected to have reached 11.848 million tonnes during the first five months (July-November) of the current financial year, with a 30 percent year-on-year growth, according to a report released by Arif Habib Limited.

Out of this, local dispatches are estimated at 9.317 million tonnes, showing a 15 percent year-on-year increase, the report said. Exports are expected to grow by 155 percent year-on-year to 2.531 million tonnes for the five-month period, it added.

Cement dispatches by Pakistani manufacturers are estimated to stand at 2.458 million tonnes during November, showing a 20 percent year-on-year surge.

Local dispatches are expected to rise by four percent year-on-year to 1.911 million tonnes during November. Exports are likely to jump 164 percent year-on-year to 548,000 tonnes.

The analysts at Arif Habib said the reasons for high growth in local dispatches were mega construction activities throughout the country, lower cement prices, and relatively dry weather. On the other hand, they said, the export dispatches had risen due to continued upsurge in demand from GCC countries, reconstruction activities in Afghanistan and opening of the Indian market due to improved security situation.

"We expect local and export dispatches to grow 15 percent and 66 percent to 24.04 million tonnes and 5.32 million tonnes during the current financial year," the report said.

With total dispatches at 29.36 million tonnes (a 22 percent year-on-year surge), local prices are expected to average Rs 210 a bag during the period.

Home | Business

Share this story!