Uruguay cement sales rise 3% in 3Q17

Uruguayan cement producers sold 203.100t of cement in 3Q17, representing a 3.4 per cent YoY. While 159,900t was sold in the domestic market, cement manufacturers shipped 43,600t for export.

"Cement sales in Uruguay have a high orientation to the domestic market and there is a high correlation between cement sales in tonnes and construction activity," says a report from the Chamber of Industries (CIU).

While detailing that the volume of sales of cement in the domestic market (measured in tonnes) contracted "10.9 per cent compared to July-September 2016 which is in line with the persistent decline in construction activity,” according to the document.

However, the latest data reflect a recovery of domestic sales in 2017 following a year-and-a-half in negative levels. The current levels are slightly below the growth achieved in 2014 and well below 2010-11 when construction markets performed well.

In terms of exports, 3Q17 saw a 148 per cent YoY rise. Argentina accounted for 68 per cent of these shipments, followed by Paraguay (31 per cent) and Brazil (two per cent). The average export price was US$88.80/t, relatively stable when compared with the equivalent period of the previous year.