Inclement weather conditions resulted in Vietnam’s cement sales slipping to 5.15Mt in July, but prices remained stable, according to the country’s Ministry of Construction. Exports stood at 1.1Mt.

In the first seven months of this year, Vietnam’s cement sales reached 45.02Mt. Around 35.52Mt was sold in the domestic market, up 14 per cent YoY, while 9.5Mt of cement and clinker were exported, 1.6 per cent less than in Jan-Jul 2015.

At present, Vietnam has 76 cement production lines and an output of 81.56Mta. An additional 6Mta in two plants will be commissioned in October. However, domestic producers face stiff competition from foreign cement producers, particularly China and Thailand.

Looking ahead, the ministry forecasts that cement and clinker sales will increase between 4-7 per cent  to 75-77Mt in 2016, despite continued challenging economic climate.