Pakistan’s cement consumption rises 7.21% in FY2025-26 despite a decline in exports

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cement sector recorded encouraging growth during the fiscal year 2025-26, driven by robust domestic demand, despite a slight decline in exports, according to the latest figures released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

The industry’s overall cement shipments during the fiscal year reached 50.515 million tonnes, reflecting a 7.21 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. The latest performance indicates that the country’s construction and infrastructure sectors continued to support demand despite economic challenges.

According to the association, local cement consumption recorded an even stronger performance. Domestic shipments increased by 9.5 percent, reaching around 41.5 million tonnes, highlighting improved activity in the housing, commercial and public infrastructure sectors across the country.

Industry experts believe that the increase in domestic cement demand indicates a gradual recovery in construction investment after a period of low market activity. Increased development projects and relatively improved business confidence also contributed to higher cement consumption during the year.

However, the export segment remained under pressure. APCMA reported that cement exports declined by 2.19% during the fiscal year 2025-26, with total shipments at 9.008 million tonnes. The decline reflects ongoing challenges in international markets, including high freight costs, regional competition, and fluctuations in global demand.

Despite the decline in exports, the overall performance of the industry was positive due to a significant improvement in domestic sales. The data suggests that Pakistan’s cement manufacturers rely heavily on the domestic market to sustain production and sustain growth.

Market analysts say that future performance will depend on infrastructure development, private sector construction activities, and improved export competitiveness. Continued policy support and economic stability could further strengthen cement demand in the coming months.