Moroccan demand stable in October

Cement demand in Morocco edged up 0.3 per cent in October 2017 to 1,320,030t from 1,316,225t in October 2016, according to data by the country's Ministry of Housing and Urbanisation. 

Market expansion was particularly strong in Laâyoune-Sakia Elhamra, where demand increased 44.8 per cent to 32,792t in October 2017 from 22,644t in October 2016, and in Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, which saw consumption increase 63.7 per cent from 4476 to 7327t over the same period. Both Souss-Massa and Marrakech-Safi registered a growth in consumption of around eight per cent YoY to 118,187t and 164,965t, respectively. A smaller advance was seen in Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, where sales reached 173,430t, up 5.2 per cent YoY, and Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, which saw demand expand 2.2 per cent YoY to 179,407t. At the other end of the scale, both Béni Mellal-Khénifra and Drâa-Tafilalet saw their markets contract by 23-24 per cent YoY to 62,482t and 40,598t, respectively.

In terms of cement demand in the first 10 months of 2017, a 3.7 per cent fall was reported, from 11,825,528t in 10M16 to 11,391,669t in 10M17.

Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab saw consumption increase 33.3 per cent to 69,378t while Guelmim-Oued Noun reported a 24 per cent rise to 130,096t. Demand also rose in Souss Massa (+5.7 per cent to 1,044,372t) and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (+2.3 per cent to 1,511,813t). All other parts of the country reported declines in their demand, varying between -2.1 per cent (Fès-Meknès) and -12.8 per cent (Béni Mellal-Khénifra).