China's cement production declined 8.6 per cent YoY to 859.87Mt in the first seven months of 2026, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The decline accelerated in July, when cement output fell 11.6 per cent YoY to 126.71Mt. This compares with production of 735.85Mt in the first half of 2026, down eight per cent YoY.
Production weakness has been widespread across the country. Of China's 31 provincial-level regions, only Beijing, Guizhou, Yunnan, Heilongjiang and Hainan recorded YoY growth in cement output during the first half of the year, according to Digital Cement Network.
Weak construction demand, funding constraints affecting infrastructure and real estate projects and adverse weather conditions have continued to weigh on the domestic cement market.
Meanwhile, Chinese producers have increased their presence in export markets. China exported 4.10Mt of cement in the first half of 2026, while clinker exports reached 9.40Mt, according to China Cement Network data.
