The country’s cement consumption in the first two months of the year posted a year-on-year increase of 85 per cent to reach 18.55 million tonnes.

According to statistics of the Department of Building Materials under the Ministry of Construction, cement consumption in the period had surged both in local and export markets. The department attributed this to a halt in cement production in China.

In February alone, cement consumption reached 7.62 million tonnes, increasing by 38 per cent compared to the same period last year and meeting 23 per cent of the annual target.

Cement sold in the domestic market rose by 11 per cent over the corresponding period last year to 5.02 million tonnes. The country exported 2.6 million tonnes of cement in February, increasing 30 per cent from last year.

Cement exports in the first two months of the year reached 5.5 million tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of 121 per cent.

Cement prices were stable last month. — VNS