Vietnam output reaches 47Mt in 2012

Vietnam-based cement manufacturers produced more than 47Mt of cement in 2012, meeting 85.5 per cent of their full year target, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Construction (MoC) on its website.

Total dispatches for the year were 53.61Mt, including domestic sales of 45.5Mt – down 7.1 per cent YoY. Cement and clinker exports, however, rose by 30 per cent to 8.1Mt.

The MoC underlined the challenges faced by the local cement sector this year including a huge cement inventory and lower domestic demand caused by a stagnant real estate market. Increased production costs and input and higher lending rates have also exacerbated the issue, placing a heavy burden on local producers.

For 2013, cement sales are expected to rise by 5-8 per cent YoY to 48-49Mt, returning to 2011sales level.