Regional Updates

Europe - Italian cement rebounded in November

Italian cement output rebounded strongly in November, increasing 7% YoY, according to the latest data from the Italian concrete association, Federbeton. This follows a 4% YoY contraction in October.

Import and export data, which lag production data, show cement imports rebounded strongly in October, rising 51% YoY to 247,230 tons, with a total CIF value of EUR 21 million (US$ 21.72 million) or EUR 85 per ton. Cement exports also expanded robustly, increasing 24% YoY to 176,963 tons in October, with a total FOB value of EUR 16.6 million or EUR 94 per ton.

Source: CemNet

News Date: 4 Feb 2025

ASIA - Vietnam exports 7Mt of cement to Philippines in 2024

Vietnam's total cement exports in 2024 reached 20.288 million tons (Mt). The country's cement producers shipped their product to 48 countries, with the top 10 markets accounting for 83.5% of total exports. 7.074 Mt were shipped to the Philippines in 2024, making it Vietnam’s largest cement export market, significantly ahead of the USA, which imported 3.788 Mt. The Philippines accounted for 34.9% of total cement exports, while the USA accounted for 18.7%.

Vietnamese cement exports to Singapore totaled 1.958 Mt (9.7%), while shipments to South Africa reached 1.012 Mt (5%). Malaysia imported 0.749 Mt, followed by Australia (0.531 Mt), the UK (0.478 Mt), Guatemala (0.463 Mt), Honduras (0.449 Mt), and Mauritius (0.447 Mt).

Smaller but significant volumes were also exported to France, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Peru, Nicaragua, Madagascar, and El Salvador.

Source: CemNet

News Date: 7 Feb, 2025

USA - cement sales fell sharply in November

Total shipments of Portland and blended cement, including imports, in the US and Puerto Rico reached 7.792 million tons (Mt) in November 2024, marking a 12.3% decline compared to 8.889 Mt in November 2023. When excluding sales to Puerto Rico and overseas territories, US cement consumption fell 12.2% YoY to 7.69 Mt, down from 8.758 Mt a year earlier.

The top cement-producing states in November, ranked in descending order, were Texas, Missouri, California, Florida, and Alabama, while the largest cement-consuming states were Texas, Florida, California, North Carolina, and Ohio.

Masonry cement shipments totaled 168,480 tons, reflecting a 6.1% YoY decline, with Florida leading production. Meanwhile, clinker production, excluding Puerto Rico, dropped 4% YoY to 6.409 Mt, with Texas remaining the largest clinker producer.

Source: CemNet

News Date: 12 Feb, 2025

Brazil market expands 4% in 2024

Cement sales in Brazil increased by 2.9% YoY, reaching 4.686 million tons (Mt) in December 2024, up from 4.555 Mt in December 2023, according to the Brazilian cement association, SNIC.

Performance varied across the country's regions. In Brazil’s largest market, the southeast, sales declined slightly by 0.8% YoY to 2.063 Mt, down from 2.079 Mt. However, the northeast recorded the strongest growth, with sales rising 14.3% YoY to 1.138 Mt, up from 0.996 Mt. In the south, volumes saw a marginal 0.3% decline to 0.717 Mt, compared to 0.719 Mt a year earlier. The central-west region posted a 1.7% YoY increase, reaching 0.524 Mt, up from 0.515 Mt. Meanwhile, in Brazil’s smallest market, the north, sales dipped 0.8% YoY to 0.244 Mt, down from 0.246 Mt in December 2023.

Despite regional fluctuations, the overall market showed positive growth, driven primarily by strong demand in the northeast.

Source: CemNet

News Date: 13 Feb, 2025

ASIA - Vietnam considers clinker export duty cut 

To support its domestic cement industry, Vietnam’s government is considering a reduction of export duties on clinker, according to the official news website Baochinhphu. 

The country’s Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, has instructed the Ministry of Finance to review a proposal by the Ministry of Construction to lower the clinker export duty, with a decision expected by 25 February.

The Construction Ministry has highlighted that cement producers are facing financial losses and potential shutdowns as a result of weak domestic demand. Vietnam’s total production capacity currently stands at 122.34Mt but consumption in the country reached only 95Mt in 2024. As a result, capacity utilization rates are at 77 % and 34 production lines have been temporarily shut down for up to six months. 

Source: CemNet

News Date: 26 Feb, 2025

US cement sales rebound in October

In October 2024, total shipments of Portland and blended cement, including imports, in the US and Puerto Rico reached 10.612 million tons, a 3.5% increase year-on-year from 10.098 million tons in October 2023, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Excluding sales to Puerto Rico and overseas territories, US cement consumption rose 3.3% to 10.460 million tons.

The leading producing states were Texas, Missouri, California, Alabama, and Florida, while the top consuming states were Texas, California, Florida, Ohio, and Illinois. Masonry cement shipments totaled 197,000 tons, down 4.7% year-on-year, with Florida as the largest producer. Clinker production, excluding Puerto Rico, fell by 4.4% to 6.46 million tons.

Hydraulic cement, including white cement, and clinker imports dropped 27.2% to 1.693 million tons in October, while clinker imports declined by 11.1% to 83,951 tons.

January-October 2024 Summary:

In the first ten months of 2024, total shipments of Portland and blended cement, including imports, reached 88.1 million tons, a 5% decline year-on-year. Cement consumption in the US fell 4.5% to 87.155 million tons. Masonry cement shipments totaled 1.88 million tons, down 4.7%. Clinker production declined 6.8% to 59.2 million tons.

Source: CemNet

News Date: 14 Jan, 2025