Brazil cement sales rise 7.3% in 2011

Brazilian cement demand has continued its upward momentum with 2011 sales advancing 7.3 per cent YoY, latest data from Sindicato Nacional da Indústria de Cimento shows.

Preliminary industry figures and market estimates, show that domestic sales reached 63.5Mt in 2011 compared to 59.12Mt in the previous year. Including cement exports, which totaled 44,000t last year, full year sales from Brazil were 63.55Mt against 59.19Mt in 2010.

Statistics for December alone showed sales reached 5Mt, up 3.5 per cent on December 2010.

The increasing local demand for cement, due to the boom in residential and commercial construction, along with the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, has accelerated the need to supply more cement and construction materials. The modernization of the Brazilian infrastructure, such as ports, airports, roads, railways and power plants will continue to drive this increased demand.

The Southeast region accounted for the largest share of domestic sales last year at 31.6Mt followed by the Northeast at 11.96Mt.