Seasonally adjusted US domestic cement shipments in October came in at 11,917Mt, 12.5 per cent up on September’s revised figure of 10,597Mt and 16.6 per cent up on the corresponding figure last year. As a result, the 12-month moving average moved into positive territory (1.6 per cent) for the first time in 16
months (note analysts at Deutsche Bank). In February this figure was -5.4 per cent. Figures are clearly benefiting from a weak comparison basis, but also from a pick up in demand due to improved weather. YTD cement shipments are up 3.0 per cent, but large regional discrepancies remain. In New England and the Mid Atlantic shipments are down 4.5 per cent and 5.8 per cent respectively, while in East South Central and West South Central (Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia etc) shipments are up 6.9 per cent6 and 6.8 per cent respectively. Imports accounted for 17.9 per cent of total shipments in October, slightly up from 17.5 per cent in September, as imports fill more of the increase in short term demand.