Peru market expands at slower rate

Cement dispatches in Peru increased 7.45 per cent YoY to 9,408,853t between January and November 2013, according to the its cement association Asocem. The latest figures confirm a cooling trend as dispatches in October increased 8.23 per cent and January-November 2012 showed a rise of 16.6 per cent.

Full-year growth is expected to be around nine per cent, significantly lower than the 15.4 per cent reported at the end of 2012.

However, according to Maximixe analyst Pablo Otero, the continued growth reflects the dynamism of public and private investment. "It reflects the progress, especially in the private sector, which leads the construction of shopping centres and homes, both in Lima and the provinces , due to the housing shortage," he said.

Cement production during January-November 2013 reached 9,598,552t, up 6.9 per cent YoY – again, an increase much lower than the 16.7 per cent recorded in between January-November 2012.

Exports reached 182,427t and noted an upward movement of 5.33 per cent YoY.