The Brazilian cement industry association (Sindicato Nacional da Industria do Cimento) has announced the consumption of cement in the Brazilian market was 8.04Mt in the Q1 2004 (Jan-March) some 2.15 per cent down the registered in same period in 2003.
SNIC estimates the consumption over the first half of the year will be lower than in 2003, when the production also fell by 11 per cent. In 2003, the consumption of cement totaled 33.79Mt against 37.98Mt recorded in 2002. The low buying power and the lack of investments in infrastructure are the main reasons for the poor performance.
