Moroccan cement market contracts 5% in 5M18

Moroccan cement sales fell by 4.8 per cent to 5.76Mt in the first five months of 2018 from 6.05Mt in the 5M17, according to the APC, the country’s cement association.

The Casablanca-Settat market was down 6.7 per cent to 1.24Mt, but in Marrakech, the second-largest market. cement sales recovered by 8.4 per cent to 808,561t. Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima saw a 3.3 per cent decrease in dispatches to 735,783t. In Rabat-Salé-Kenitra the market contracted 6.3 per cent to 719,034t.

Cement producers are also seeing their profit margins narrow as although prices remain stable, energy costs are rising steeply. However, cement producers are maintaining their development projects. For example, market leader LafargeHolcim wants to accelerate its development in the southern provinces. This year will see the start of the production at Laayoune grinding unit as well as the launch of the first laboratory for the development of constructive solutions in Morocco. It is also placing the order for the clinker line of its new Souss cement works.