Moroccan sales slide 12.6% in first six months

In the first half of 2013 Moroccan cement sales fell 12.6 per cent YoY to 7.8Mt, although the pace of decline significantly eased in the second quarter, latest statistics from the Directorate of Studies and Planning of the country’s Ministry of Economy and Finance show.

While the market continues to contract, second-quarter sales fell by four per cent, far less than the 21 per cent drop recorded in the first three months of the year. The downward trend, attributed to heavy rainfall which led to the shutdown of several construction sites, is particularly poignant given that the market expanded by 9.1 per cent in June 2012.

The contraction in sales has affected cement companies such as Holcim Morocco, which was forced to close two of its Oujda kiln line in May.

The decline in sales has affected most regions of the kingdom, except for Laayoune-Boujdour-Saqia El Hamra, which recorded a 18.3 per cent growth. The largest falls were recorded in Tadla-Azilal (-26 per cent) and Tanger-Tetouan (-20.2 per cent).