The cost of Cement in Mexico is 15% lower than in the United States despite differences in the two countries’ distribution and marketing practices, reported the director of the National Cement Chamber (Canacem), Osmín Rendón. The official explained that at the close of July, the average price of sacks of cement was US$156 and US$135 per ton in the United States and Mexico, respectively. He explained that this was despite the fact that the conditions in the Mexican market are less favorable for three main reasons:retail sale is more fragmented and remote; communication infrastructure is limited; and transport, fuel and insurance costs are up to 50 per cent more expensive than in the United States. He added that for these reasons, it is unfair to compare the Mexican and US cement markets as the firm Comercio para el Desarrollo de México (CDM) recently did.
He added that in Mexico, annual cement production reaches 30Mt and that this is enough to cover domestic demand. CDM recently attempted to import 26,600 tons of Russian cement. The product was seized by local customs authorities who have yet to decide what to do with the goods.
