Moroccan cement demand slips 2.7% in April

Following a positive first quarter, Moroccan cement demand fell 2.7 per cent in April as construction activity slowed and the real estate market was subdued. The decrease breaks with the growth recorded in the first quarter of 2016.

The trend has been aided by a 12 per cent drop in housing starts while the decline in real estate loans and the financial situation of major development has subdued this part of the construction sector.
Meanwhile, the cement industry has an installed capacity of 20Mta, significantly above an estimated output of 15Mt.