Cement shipments in the Peruvian market totalled 6.701Mt between January and August 2013, reflecting a 9.87 per cent increase YoY, according to the country’s cement association, Asocem.

Cement production during the period was 6.847Mt, up 9.81 per cent from 6.236Mt recorded in Jan-Aug 2012.

Exports in August reached 125,027t, noting a significant advance of 36 per cent YoY. In August 2012, Peru’s cement producers exported 91,834t.

Roberto Flores of the research house Inteligo Broker Co said the growth can be attributed to the dynamism of public and private sector investment. Although moderately affected by the international crisis, the construction sector is the fastest growing sector in Peru in recent times. As a result, the Peruvian cement market is expected to expand about nine per cent this year.