Moroccan cement consumption fell a further 6.3 per cent YoY to 1.16Mt in June following a similar decrease in May. This brings cement demand over the first six months of this year down 1.3 per cent to 7.3Mt, with the decline mainly attributed to a slow real estate market.

Mohammed Chaïbi, president of Ciments du Maroc and the Moroccan cement association (APC), told L'Economiste that he expects the decline to continue going forward. Key factors that are likely to hold demand growth back are the effect of Ramadan/Eid followed by summer vacations, the electoral process, Eid Adha and the start of bad weather, Mr Chaïbi noted.

The largest decreases on a regional bases were recorded in Guelmim-Es Smara, Chauoia-Ourdigha and Laayoune-Boujdour with declines of 36, 28 and 26 per cent, respectively.

On a more positive note, Oued Ed-Dahab-Lagouira registered market expansion of 53 per cent, followed by Doukkala-Abda (31.1 per cent), Tangier-Tetouan (1.9 per cent) or Souss-Massa-Draa (0.3 per cent).