Cement sales rise 10.7% in first half

MANILA, Philippines - Cement sales in the first half of the year rose faster than its average growth in the last five years behind the continued infrastructure boom in the country.

Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) president Ernesto Ordoñez yesterday said cement sales in the first semester surged 10.7 percent to 13.19 million tons from 11.91 tons recorded in the same period last year.

Demand for cement in the second quarter alone reached 6.76 million tons, up 8.8 percent from 6.21 million tons in the Aprill to June period last year.

“The primary reasons for the robust growth is the huge DPWH budget increase, the continued private sector confidence in the government which motivates cement use, and the relatively conducive weather,” Ordoñez said.

CeMAP said cement sales growth in the first semester is bigger than the moving average of 10 percent in the last five years, eight percent in the last 10 years  and five percent in the last 15 years.

Local cement sales last year rose 14.3 percent to 24.36 million tons from 21.3 million tons recorded the previous year.