Colombia's cement sales slip in January

Colombia's cement market contracted by 0.5 per cent YoY in January 2018 to 0.908Mt, according to DANE, the country’s statistics office.

The drop is attributed to a 3.4 per cent lower offtake by construction companies and contractors as well as a 2.6 per cent fall in sales to ready-mix concrete companies. The prefabricated segment increased its requirement by 41.8 per cent.

In terms of geographical distribution, the Greater Bogotá area saw its sales fall by 8.5 per cent and Córdoba by 31.8 per cent. However, the Valle del Cauca market expanded by 10.4 per cent. The key Antioquia market contracted by 1.9 per cent YoY while Cundimarca and Atlántico saw sales drop by 2.7  and 5.1 per cent, respectively.

Meanwhile, domestic cement production increased 0.9 per cent YoY to 0.906Mt in January 2018.