Indonesia 1H sales dip, exports rise

Cement sales in Indonesia registered a slight decline over the first half of this year, while exports sales fared better over the six-month period, according to the latest industry data.

Domestic sales were down by 1.3 per cent YoY to 29Mt in the 1H17, compared to 29.37Mt a year earlier, statistics published on state-owned Semen Indonesia’s website reveal.  Widodo Santoso, chairman of the Indonesian Cement Association (ASI), told local press that the decline is attributed to the long holiday-period (Idul Fitri celebrations fell earlier this year), while infrastructure projects in the eastern part of the country are yet to gain momentum. In June 2017 alone, sales were down by 26.8 per cent YoY to 3.73Mt (5.1Mt in 1H16).

However, total sales (including exports) over the six-month period edged ahead by 0.3 per cent to 30.13Mt versus 30.03Mt in 1H16.  Exports performed strongly in the first half of 2017, having increased by 74 per cent YoY to 1.14Mt. By year-end ASI hopes export volumes of 2-3Mt will be achieved.