Brazilian cement sales in the first half of 2013 rose 1.6 per cent to 33.6Mt, latest data from local association Sindicato Nacional da Indústria do Cimento shows.

In June 2013, sales reached 5.5Mt, representing a rise of three per cent compared to the same month of last year.

Cumulative sales for the 12 months between July 2012 and June 2013 reached 68.9Mt, representing a growth of 3.2 per cent over the previous period (July 2011-June 2012).