Brazilian cement sales were down 0.1 per cent YoY to 4.33Mt in January 2018, according to the country’s cement association, SNIC.

Average sales per working day increased 0.2 per cent but apparent consumption fell 0.5 per cent to 4.44Mt.

The results were in line with SNIC’s expectations, with sales expected to fall in 1Q18 before seeing increases in the 2Q18.

In the 12 months ending January 2018 domestic sales saw an accumulated decrease of 6.2 per cent in comparison with the previous 12-month at 53.77Mt. SNIC forecasts a 1-2 per cent increase in cement sales in 2018.