Jan-Jun cement exports pick up

Data from the Building Materials Department of the Ministry of Construction shows that cement consumption in June has picked up by 30% year-on-year to an estimated 8.71 million tons, with the domestic market making up 6.91 million tons, up 29% against June last year, and exports accounting for 1.8 million tons, up 35% year-on-year.

Domestic and outbound cement sales constantly sustain the growth momentum. The data indicates that 51.42 million tons of cement were sold in the Jan-June period, up 25% year-on-year, achieving 61% of the target. Of the volume, Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation consumed some 11.93 million tons.

Inventories of cement in Vietnam amount to 3.1 million tons, mainly clinker, equivalent to production of 14 or 15 days, showing a significant fall in the Jan-June period.

Experts from the building material sector said favorable weather conditions had helped boost domestic consumption and China’s pause in cement production had paved the way for Vietnam’s cement exports to surge.