Peru 4M12 shipments rise 13.62 per cent YoY

Shipments of cement in the Peruvian market totaled 2.89Mt between January and April 2012, a 13.62 per cent increase YoY, reported the Association Cement Producers (Asocem). A positive outlook is forecast for the remainder of the year.

During the first four months of 2012, cement production totall 2.96Mt, representing a rise of 13.01 per cent over the same period of 2011.? ?In the first four months of the year, cement exports reached 48,624t, up 125.79 per cent YoY.

Total cement shipments (domestic market plus exports) amounted to 2.94Mt between January and April this year, an increase of 14.56 per cent over the same period of 2011 (2.57Mt).

The rise in volumes is being attributed to increased demand by regional governments and a resumption of private sector investment as well as on the back of an improving economy.  GDP is forecast to have expanded six per cent in the 1Q12 compared to 5.5 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year with a certain acceleration of growth forecast for the middle of the year.

Speaking to the Andine of Peru, analyst at Maximixe, Otto Galindo, said the rise in cement shipments for the first four months of 2012 should be viewed in light of lower volumes last year due to uncertainty generated by elections. However, he projected that the increase in cement dispatches will be constant this year and forecasts full-year 2012 shipments to be up 11.6 per cent over 2011 figures.

Last year, Peruvian shipments totalled 8.29Mt,  2.42 per cent increase over 2010 figures.