Pakistan’s cement industry faced a major setback in May 2026 as total cement dispatches dropped by more than 21% compared to the same month last year. According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), total cement sales stood at 3.84 million tons, reflecting weaker demand in both local and export markets.
Domestic cement sales fell by over 17 percent to 3.21 million tons, while exports recorded an even steeper decline of more than 36 percent. Industry experts believe slower construction activity, economic uncertainty, and reduced development spending have affected overall demand for cement across the country.
Northern region cement manufacturers dispatched around 2.66 million tons during May, showing a decline of nearly 22 percent compared to the previous year. Southern region producers also reported a drop of around 19 percent, with total dispatches reaching 1.18 million tons.
Despite the disappointing monthly performance, the cement sector has shown growth during the current fiscal year. Between July 2025 and May 2026, total cement dispatches increased by 6.44 percent to 46.26 million tons. Domestic sales during this period rose by more than 8 percent, indicating that the local market remained relatively stronger over the longer term.
Industry representatives are hopeful that the upcoming federal budget will introduce measures to support construction activity and local manufacturing. They believe infrastructure development projects, lower business costs, and policies encouraging investment could help improve cement demand in the coming months.