Cement sales in Brazil increased 1.9 per cent to 6.133Mt in August 2026 from 6.017Mt in August 2025, according to the national cement association, SNIC.
Of this total 2.744Mt was sold in the southeast, the country's largest market. Sales were down 1.4 per cent from 2.782Mt in August 2025. In sharp contrast, sales in the northeast advanced 9.5 per cent YoY to 1.396Mt from. 1.275Mt, representing the largest market growth in the country. In the south, growth was more moderate, at 1.6 per cent YoY to 0.955Mt from 0.940Mt in August 2025, while in the midwest, sales slipped 0.3 per cent YoY to 0.720Mt from 0.722Mt over the same period. In the north, Brazil's smallest market, sales expanded by 6.7 per cent YoY to 0.318Mt from 0.298Mt.
Cement demand in Brazil has continued to grow, although the pace is beginning to moderate as economic activity slows. The main supports remain a strong labour market and housing activity, particularly through the Minha Casa, Minha Vida public housing programme. Low unemployment and record employment are underpinning construction demand, while the programme has seen strong growth in both launches and sales and now accounts for a record share of new housing. Expanded housing finance is providing further support, with construction financing through SBPE rising sharply following changes that have increased credit availability.
However, the broader economic environment is becoming less favourable. GDP growth slowed to 0.5 per cent in the 2Q26, raising concerns about construction, infrastructure and industrial activity, all of which are important sources of cement demand. High interest rates, with the Selic rate now expected to reach 13.75 per cent, are increasing financing costs and creating a more cautious environment for investment, although housing activity has so far remained relatively resilient. At the same time, high household debt are constraining consumer spending, while declining consumer and business confidence points to weaker demand ahead.
Within construction, conditions are mixed, with residential building and infrastructure-related activity performing relatively well, while non-residential construction and roadworks face weaker expectations.
In addition, to increasing domestic sales, exports were up by 20 per cent YoY to 6000t from 5000t, SNIC reported.
January-August 2026
The first eight months of 2026 saw a 1.9 per vent uptick in sales to 44.991Mt from 44.173Mt in the equivalent period of the previous year.
Sales in the southeast slipped 0.9 per cent YoY to 20.141Mt in the 8M26 from 20.325Mt while in the northeast, the buoyant market saw a 7.7 per cent increase in deliveries to 10.050Mt from 9.329Mt. Sales in southern Brazil edged up by 1.8 per cent YoY to 7.560Mt from 7.428Mt. In the midwest there was a 0.8 per cent uptick in deliveries to 5.037Mt from 4.999Mt in the 8M25. Off-take in the north improved 5.3 per cent YoY to 2.203Mt from 2.092Mt over the same period.
However, exports fell 17.8 per cent to 37,000t in the January-August 2026 period when compared with 45,000t exported in the equivalent period of the previous year.
Outlook
Looking ahead, the sector remains positive on sales, particularly given the historically stronger 2H season, but the outlook is increasingly dependent on continued strength in affordable housing, employment and infrastructure as the wider economy loses momentum.
