Islamabad: Pakistan’s cement industry recorded a significant rebound in July 2025, posting a year-on-year sales increase of 30.13%, marking a strong start to the fiscal year 2025–26. According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), total cement despatches rose to 3.997 million tonnes, up from 3.071 million tonnes in the same month last year.
The surge was driven by strong performances in both domestic and export markets. Local despatches stood at 2.988 million tonnes, an increase of 18.4% compared to 2.524 million tonnes recorded in July 2024. Meanwhile, exports nearly doubled, rising by 84% to 1.008 million tonnes from 0.547 million tonnes during the same period last year.
An APCMA spokesperson described the performance as encouraging, especially considering the operational challenges posed by heavy rainfall and logistics disruptions across various regions of the country. “This growth reflects the sector’s resilience and points to a promising outlook as macroeconomic conditions continue to improve,” the spokesperson noted.
Industry experts attribute the surge in despatches to a combination of seasonal factors, such as improved weather in the latter half of the month, and fiscal year dynamics, including increased procurement activity ahead of the federal budget and a rebound from June’s subdued figures—impacted by Eidul Azha holidays.
The industry continues to face challenges, particularly around input costs, with coal prices—a major component of cement production—hovering around USD 100 per tonne. However, global coal prices have softened slightly due to lower international demand and stricter environmental regulations, offering some cost relief to manufacturers.
Despite these headwinds, stakeholders remain optimistic. The strong July performance is viewed as a signal of renewed construction activity and growing demand both domestically and abroad. If these trends continue, analysts believe the cement sector could sustain momentum in the months ahead, contributing positively to the broader industrial and economic landscape.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
