Colombia’s cement demand expanded by 5.2 per cent YoY in September 2015 to reach 1.143Mt on the back of a strong performance in the contractor and ready-mix sectors, which noted a rise in cement consumption of 25.9 and 13.3 per cent, respectively.
In terms of provinces, Meta recorded the highest increase in demand with a 33.7 per cent advance, followed by Atlántico (+18.8 per cent) and Boyacá (+16.1 per cent). Greater Bogota saw its market expand by eight per cent YoY.
Cement production increased 5.1 per cent to 1.127Mt in September when compared with September 2014.
In the year to date, domestic consumption has experienced a 6.9 per cent YoY hike to 9.471Mt. Demand growth was particularly strong in Nariño, which noted a 42.4 per cent YoY rise and Cesar, which saw sales increase by 29.3 per cent. Good rates of growth were also recorded in Bolivia (+15.1 per cent), Antioquia (+9.7 per cent), Bogotá (+7.2 per cent). At the other end of the scale, Santander saw its market contract by 7.7 per cent and Casanare by 5.8 per cent.
Production over the nine-month period advanced by 5.7 per cent to 9.628Mt when compared with Jan-Sep 2014.
