According to statistics from the national cement associations in South America, cement sales in January 2013 were largely positive. In Peru, domestic sales volumes increased by 19% y/y to reach 850 487 t. ASOCEM also noted that cement exports totalled 28 152 t during the month. Meanwhile, in Argentina, Portland cement plants dispatched 913 336 t, including exports. This is 4.4% higher than the amount of cement sold in January 2012 and represents an increase of 12.9% m/m when compared to sales levels in December 2012. Domestic cement consumption grew 3.2% y/y to reach 888 602 in Argentina in the first month of this year. Domestic cement sales also experienced positive growth in Brazil, rising by 5.9% y/y from 5.2 million t in January 2012 to 5.6 million t in January 2013. In Ecuador, according to the Ecuadorian Institute of Cement and Concrete, cement sales came in at 537 391 t, up from the 452 647 t sold in January 2012.
Edited from various sources by Louise Fordham.