Vietnam cement and clinker sales reached 6.5Mt in July, up 25 per cent YoY, the country's Association for Building Materials under the Ministry of Construction (MoC) announced.

Of the total volume, 5.15Mt were sold at the domestic market, up 22 per cent YoY, while 1.35Mt (+37 per cent YoY).

In the first seven months, Vietnam’s cement and clinker sales rose 10 per cent YoY to 40.98Mt, fulfilling 57 per cent of the year’s target, including 9.77Mt (+13 per cent YoY).

The growth of cement sales in the domestic market in the seven-month period was mostly contributed by higher demand from construction projects, including transport, hydropower and social housing construction. Recovery in the real estate market also contributed to growth, according to Le Van Toi, head of the Vietnam Association for Building Materials.

For the full year, the MoC expects sales to rise by 1.5-4 per cent YoY to 72-74Mt. Domestic sales are forecast to climb by 4.5-6.5 per cent to 53-54Mt and exports are anticipated to be around the 19-20Mt mark.