Cement consumption in Argentina increased 6.2 per cent in March 2018 to 1,091,121t from 1,027,094t in March 2017, according to the country’s cement association, AFCP. When compared with the previous month, sales to the domestic market advanced 18.1 per cent from 924,085t in February 2018.

Sales from domestic producers rose 4.7 per cent in March to 1,073,831t from 1,025,620t in March 2017. When compared with the previous month, they advanced 18.2 per cent from 908,513t in February 2018. Output from Argentine producers was supplemented by 17,290t of imports in March 2018, a more than 10-fold rise YoY from 1474t and an 11 per cent increase MoM from 15,572t reported in February 2018.

Total production from domestic producers rose 4.7 per cent YoY to 1,080,577t from 1,032,090t in March 2017 and by 18 per cent MoM from 916,029t. Of this total, 6746t was exported in March 2018, a 4.3 per cent increase YoY from 6470t but a 10.2 per cent fall MoM from 7516t.

In the January-March period, Argentina’s cement demand increased 13.3 per cent YoY to 3.059Mt from 2.7Mt reported in the year-ago period. The total includes 3.004Mt of cement produced within the country’s borders and 54,862t of imports, representing an advance of 11.7 per cent and 404.8 per cent, respectively, according to AFCP.

Argentine producers dispatched 3.027Mt of cement in this first quarter, reflecting an 11.6 per cent expansion in sales when compared with 2.712Mt delivered in 1Q17. Exports were stable at 22,891t of this total when compared with 22,754t exported in March 2017.