USA: cement demand stable in April

Total Portland and blended cement shipments in the USA and Puerto Rico remained stable at 7.692Mt in April 2016 when compared with the previous year when 7.678Mt were delivered, according to the US Geological Survey’s latest data.

Texas was the leading consumer with 848,730t, followed by California, Florida, Ohio and Georgia (in descending order). Together they accounted for 39 per cent of domestic consumption.

The leading producing states for Portland and blended cement were Texas, California, Missouri, Florida and Alabama, in descending order. Clinker production slipped slightly YoY to 6Mt in April 2016.

In addition, around 908,558t of cement was imported in April 2016, up 15.3 per cent when compared with 787,810t reported in April 2015.

Domestic cement sales from January to April reached 26.5Mt, a YoY increase of 9.9 per cent. Output from US cement plants and destined for the local markets, rose by 3.7 per cent to 23.649Mt in the first four months of 2016 when compared with 4M15.

Imports reached 2.856Mt in Jan-Apr 2016. They have been rising at a faster rate than cement sales levels, partly due to the low basis experienced following their collapse in the recession, but also due to their relatively low cost as a result of low bunker fuel costs, modest ship chartering rates, increased ship availability, and a strong dollar, said Hendrik G van Oss of the USGS.