KARACHI: Construction activities appeared to have revived as local sales of cement during FY26 grew by 9.5 per cent to 41.507 million tonnes from 37.906m tonnes in FY25, while exports fell by 2.19pc to 9.008m tonnes from 9.210m tonnes.

Overall cement despatches (local and exports) grew by 7.21pc during FY26 to 50.515m tonnes from 47.116m tonnes in FY26.

During June, total cement despatches were 4.331m tonnes, up 18.38pc from 3.658m tonnes in the same month of the last fiscal year.

Local cement despatches rose 27pc to 3.541m tonnes compared to 2.793m tonnes in June 2025, while exports declined by 8.73pc to 789,840 tonnes from 865,387 tonnes.

The spokesperson for the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association was optimistic about strong cement demand in the coming months on both the domestic and international fronts.

Rabia Yousuf of Topline Securities said total cement capacity utilisation in FY26 clocked in at 59pc compared with 56pc in FY25. Notably, local capacity utilisation improved to 50pc, compared with 45pc in FY25.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2026