Uzbekistan increases cement imports six-fold in 1H18

Uzbekistan imported cement amounting to a value of US$79.8m in the 1H18, according to the State Statistics Committee, which is six times higher than last year.

In 1H18 Uzbekistan's own production of cement decreased by 6.2 per cent to 3.954Mt. For the same period in 2017, Portland cement production in the country amounted to 4.199Mt.

Analysts report a significant increase in energy prices in 2018 for natural gas and electricity, which has affected cement production. For construction industry enterprises, including cement producers, gas and electricity consumption tariffs rose by at least 60 per cent in 2018, claims Uzbekistan Newsline.

According to Goskomstat, in July the market price of cement in Uzbekistan exceeded UZS700,000/t (US$89.79/t). Official statistics recorded the highest prices for building materials in Karakalpakstan at UZS764,000/t, Khorezm at UZS757,000/t, Syrdarya regions at 745,000/t and in Tashkent at UZS743,000/t.

However, cement producers may sell 2Mta of cement to contractors who are building affordable housing or public infrastrucutre projects, with such sales subsidised by the government which has set a price of UZS367,000/t.