Argentina cement sales up

Argentine cement manufacturers saw an 18.3 per cent year-on-year rise in sales, including exports, to 586,133t in September 2004, Argentina’s Portland cement makers’ association AFCP said on October 7, 2004.  The sales in September 2004 marked a 13.9 per cent month-on-month increase, the association added. Portland cement sales totalled 575,125t on the local market, up 13 per cent from August 2004 and up 18.5 per cent from September 2003.

The cement sales rise was attributed mainly to the increased construction activity in Argentina, the association added. Construction is among the key economic sectors in Argentina and is essential for jobs creation. Argentine construction activity registered a 25.2 per cent year-on-year growth over the first eight months of 2004.