Sales of cement bags improved m/m in Puerto Rico in March

According to the latest ‘Economic Indicators’ report published by Puerto Rico’s Banco Gubermental de Fomento (BGF), 1.362 million bags of cement (94 lbs) were produced in March 2014. This is higher than both the preceding month of February 2014 (1.289 million bags) and the corresponding month in 2013 (1.134 million bags). Sales increased m/m from 1.273 million bags in February to 1.359 million bags in March 2014. However, sales during the month were slightly lower than in March 2013 when approximately 1.39 million bags were sold.

On an accumulated basis, production fell by 13.1% y/y in July 2013 – March 2014, falling from 11.716 million bags to 10.181 million bags. Sales volumes suffered a similar decline, dropping from 13.318 million bags in July 2012 – March 2013 to 11.425 million bags in July 2013 – March 2014.

Meanwhile, the BGF report indicates that the number of construction permits issued in Puerto Rico has also contracted. Public sector permits issued in July – December 2013 fell by 53.1% y/y compared to the same period in 2012. Private sector permits were down by 15.7% y/y.

Adapted from report by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/21042014/puerto_rico_march_2014_cement_statistics_32/