Vietnam has seen a 68 per cent increase in cement exports for the 1Q18, following the shutdown of several Chinese plants, according to Viet Nam News.

Nguyễn Quang Cung, vice chairman of the Vietnam Building Material Association, announced that production in the country surged 18 per cent YoY in the quarter, marking the first time it had recorded high growth against an annual increase of approximately 10 per cent.

The growth in exports was due to the policy change of the Chinese government towards cement production, according to Mr Cung. China is also facing a shortage of electricity and it needs more energy for heating during the winter months. However, cement production consumes a large volume of energy.

These circumstances have turned China into an importer of cement at the end of 2017, according to Mr Cung. Therefore, it has imported clinker from Vietnam at a volume of 1.5Mt per month.

The association expected to export 15Mt of clinker in 2017, but in fact, Vietnam exported up to 21Mt last year, said Mr Cung.