Weak business and consumer confidence, amid economic uncertainty, is weighing heavily on demand for cement. Total shipments of Portland and blended cement, including imports, in the US and Puerto Rico amounted to 6.048Mt in February, down 20.1 per cent YoY from the 7.517Mt recorded in January 2024.
Excluding for sales to Puerto Rico and overseas territories, cement consumption in the US dropped 20.5 per cent YoY in February, coming in at 5.932Mt, compared to 7.457Mt a year earlier.
The key producing states for Portland and blended cement were, in descending order, Texas, California, Florida, Missouri and Alabama. The key consuming states were, in descending order, Texas, Florida, California, Georgia and Arizona. Masonry cement shipments amounted to 148,096t, down 16.7 per cent YoY, with Florida the leading consumer. Clinker production, excluding Puerto Rico, saw a 24.9 per cent YoY decline in February to 3.713Mt.
Imports of cement and clinker amounted to 1.861Mt in February, up 9.9 per cent YoY. Imported clinker amounted to 33,571t. The notable increase reflects importers frontloading ahead of anticipated tariffs.
January-February 2025
Total shipments of Portland and blended cement, including imports, in the US and Puerto Rico amounted to 5.729Mt in the first two months of the year, down 3.1 per cent YoY from the 5.914Mt recorded in January 2024.
Excluding for sales to Puerto Rico and overseas territories, cement consumption in the US was 12.7 per cent lower YtD, coming in at 11.572Mt, compared to 13.253t a year earlier. Masonry cement shipments amounted to 297,595t, down 12.9 per cent YoY, with Florida the leading consumer. Clinker production, excluding Puerto Rico, saw a 17.9 per cent YoY decline to 7.987Mt.
Imports of cement and clinker amounted to 3.372Mt in the first two months of 2025, down 4.5 per cent YoY. Imported clinker amounted to 76,571t, up 81.7 per cent YoY.
By Melanie Bowler
