AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Karachi: Cement dispatches in March 2025 recorded a 9% year-on-year decline, totaling 3.6 million tons. This decrease is primarily attributed to an 11% drop in local dispatches across both the North and South regions during the Ramadan season. Export dispatches remained relatively unchanged, with a 23% increase in Southern exports offset by an 85% decline in Northern exports.
In the North region, cement prices continued to rise, with an increase of Rs50-60 per bag, reaching approximately Rs1,400 per bag. This marks a cumulative increase of Rs90 per bag over recent months.
The government’s recent announcement of a power tariff reduction of Rs7.59 per unit is expected to benefit grid-reliant cement players such as FCCL, KOHC, and ACPL. The expected impact on the earnings per share for the fiscal year 2026 is estimated at 6.8%, 4.6%, and 8.6%, respectively.
Conversely, the proposed hike in limestone royalty charges for companies based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, aligning them with rates in Punjab, is anticipated to negatively affect earnings. Companies such as CHCC, KOHC, FCCL, and LUCK are expected to see downward revisions in their fiscal year 2026 forecasts by 21%, 17%, 10%, and 10%, respectively.