Cement exports rise sharply
The ministry in a recent report states that cement sales have amounted
to 27.9 million tons this year, posting growth of 18.3% year-on-year. Of
which, cement export volume was around 5.2 million tons, jumping 70%
over the-year ago period.
Due to slackened demand at home, many companies in the industry have focused on shipping products abroad, said Tran Van Huynh, chairman of the Vietnam Construction Materials Association. The cement industry expects to export over 10 million tons of products this year, or 15% of the nation’s total output, he informed.
Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia and Cambodia are the major buyers of Vietnamese cement products, with the export price ranging from US$40 to US$42 a ton, some US$8-10 a ton lower than the global average price, Huynh told the Daily.
Exports have helped reduce this month’s inventories compared to last month, at around 2.6 million tons only, with the unsold volume of Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation (VICEM) accounting for a half, the construction ministry reports.
There have been no changes of cement selling prices in the market in the first six months despite the higher coal, power and fuel prices which have pushed up production costs and caused difficulties for industry players. The gap between cement supply and demand is seen as inconsiderable at home.
The cement industry turns out a combined 66 million tons annually while this year’s total cement consumption volume is forecast at 56-57 million tons.
Source: The Saigontimes *
