Colombian market contracts 15%

In April 2017 cement consumption in Colombia fell 14.9 per cent to 0.9Mt from 1.058Mt in April 2017, according to Colombia’s statistics office, Dane.

Sales across all distribution channels slipped with construction companies and contractors requiring 19.1 per cent less, ready-mix companies 16.6 per cent lower volumes and a 12 per cent reduction at retail level.

In terms of departments, the key regions of Bogotá noted a 15 per cent reduction in demand, Antioquia -9.8 per cent and Santander - 29.1 per cent.

Production slipped back 11.9 per cent from 1.11Mt to 0.977Mt in the fourth month of the year.

Cement dispatches decreased by 3.6 per cent from 4.051Mt in January-April 2016 to 3.904Mt in the first four months of 2016.

The reduction came mainly from construction companies and contractors, which reduced their take-off by 11.2 per cent, although sales volumes to ready-mix companies fell 5.7 per cent. Retail sales were up 0.7 per cent YoY in the 4M17.

Cement production fell 4.3 per cent YoY from 4.178Mt to 4Mt in 4M17.