Domestic cement consumption in January totalled 2.24Mt, down 4.1 per cent from 2.34Mt a year earlier, led by falling consumption in Central Java, the Indonesian Cement Association (ASI) said in a report.
The report said cement exports in January declined 2.8 per cent YoY to 250,771t from 257,887 a year earlier. Clinker exports dropped 40.8 per cent to 219,512t, it said.
Among the major domestic markets, Central Java reported a 14.8 per cent drop in cement consumption to 225,691t.
Cement consumption by Jakarta alone for the month grew 5.9 per cent YoY to 292.125t; West Java registered a 14.3 per cent rise to 409,550t, while East Java’s consumption was up 3.4 per cent at 329,158t.
In full-year 2004, domestic cement consumption grew nine per cent to 30.04Mt.
Industry officials have predicted domestic cement demand to grow by up to 10 per cent. this year, partly on the back of the government’s plan to tender new infrastructure projects.