Vietnam exported 12.45Mt of cement and clinker in the last 11 months or 2013, representing a YoY increase of almost 63 per cent.

Tran Van Huynh, president of the Vietnam Construction Materials Association (VCMA), said the rise in exports was an attempt to clear surplus inventory because of low prices and similar situation in many countries.

During the period, the country’s total cement sales rose nearly 13 per cent against the same period last year, reaching 55.17Mt.

The Ministry of Construction projected that the cement sector is likely to reach a total sales of 60.5Mt this year, up 4.5Mt against the forecast target of 56Mt.

According to VCMA, domestic demand for cement will reduce from the projected figure of 75-76Mt to about 60-65Mt by 2015.