Reports in the local press have highlighted the latest cement statistics released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association. In July 2014, cement dispatches totalled 2.23 million t, down 14.12% y/y on July 2013’s 2.6 million t. Domestic sales fell by 6.52% y/y from 1.85 million t to 1.73 million t.

Cement exports also declined, dropping from 749 000 t in July 2013 to 503 000 t in the same month of this year. The decrease has largely been attributed to a contraction in the volume of exports to Afghanistan, which fell from 441 812 t to 183 927 t. Export competition from other countries in the region, such aw Iraq, was also listed as a factor.