Colombian cement production and dispatches have continued to rise in the first two months of 2012, however, uncertainty exists over near-term forecasts as the La Niña weather effect brings heavy rains to the country.
In the first two months of the year, cement production in Colombia totalled 1.7Mt, 14.4 per cent over the same period of 2010, according to Colombia's national statistics office. Dane. Cement deliveries also increased 14.1 per cent to 1.6Mt during this period.
"The upward trend was marked by the demand for all distribution channels," Dane said, adding that department, Cundinamarca was back on top of the list in terms of consumption (67.3 per cent), followed by Casanare, Nariño and Cesar.
Dane also analyses the last 12 months to February and data shows that both production and sales of cement increased 14.7 and 15 per cent, respectively compared to the same period the year before.
The departments of Cesar, Casanare, Huila, Nariño and Córdoba demonstrated the most dynamic performances thanks to housing and industrial projects and also because of increasing public works.
Expectations are now focused on the development of these projects as heavy rains brought on by the La Niña weather phenomena sweep the country. Damage caused by the weather could result in the stoppage or delay of road deliveries and the execution of many works. According to a recent report by Colombia’s National Disaster Management Agency, 19 Colombian departments have suffered heavy rains and flooding.
