Argentina Cement Sales up

The cement sales of Argentina in August 2004 expanded 19.3 per cent year-on-year to 514,380t, the association of Portland cement makers in Argentina said on September 9, 2004.  Sales in August 2004 marked a 0.5 per cent month-on-month increase, the association added.  Domestic cement sales totalled 508,795t, rising 19.5 per cent from August 2003 and marking a 1.1 per cent increase from July 2004.  The increased construction activity in Argentina mainly contributed to the rise in cement sales over the period, the association added. Construction is among the key economic sectors in Argentina and is essential for jobs creation.

According to the most recent data, construction activity in Argentina edged up by 0.2 per cent month-on-month in July 2004 and marked a 20.1 per cent year-on-year expansion.  The annual 2004 Portland cement sales are seen at 5.7Mt, up 12 per cent from 2003, the market research group Argentine Research forecast.