Average gray cement FOB prices continue on a quarter-on-quarter upward trend in 4Q2020

In the third quarter of 2020, average gray cement FOB prices decreased about 3 percent year-on-year, while witnessing a growth of almost 1 percent when compared to the previous quarter. In the fourth quarter, prices are predicted to keep on a quarter-on-quarter upward trend, according to the 4Q2020 update of CW Research's Global Cement Trade Price Report.

According to CW price index, in 3Q2020, the global export price for gray cement averaged more than USD 57 per ton.

ÔÇ£An upward pressure on prices is expected to be seen in 4Q2020 as a consequence not only of volume recovery but also a good prospect on infrastructure spending across key markets, including the United States, China and India, as governments focus on economic stimulus policies. With that, FOB prices are projected to be see an increase of 1 percent Q-o-Q in 1Q2021ÔÇØ, analyses Carolina Pereira, CW Group's Manager, Advisory & Research.

Global export volumes grow in the third quarter

Gray cement exports volumes in the third quarter of 2020 increased by almost 12 percent quarter-on-quarter and also recorded an expansion of over 4 percent when compared to the same period of last year.

In the quarter, the region that clocked the biggest export volumes was the Mediterranean Basin, with almost 7 million tons, increasing by more than 24 percent quarter-on-quarter, with Turkey, the largest exporter in the region, accounting for more than 23 percent of the global market exports.

Turkey registered a sharp volume increase of 27 percent in the third quarter, when compared to the previous quarter. Meanwhile, Japan emerged as the second largest exporter, relegating Vietnam to the third position.

The Mediterranean Basin retains position as top exporter region

The Mediterranean Basin continued to maintain its position as the largest cement exporting region during the third quarter of 2020, followed by Asia Pacific-Japan. In terms of pricing, the region reached an average of more than USD 44 per ton during 3Q2020.

For the fourth quarter, the Mediterranean Basin is projected to continue being the largest gray cement exporter with prices logging increase.

At a global level, clinker trade is estimated to increase on a yearly basis

For the quarter ended in September 2020, global trade of clinker is estimated to have reached almost 16 million tons, increasing by almost 6 percent on a yearly basis, as economies emerged from lockdowns.

In the third quarter of 2020, CW clinker exports price index for the 25 countries is estimated to have increased by more than 2 percent on a quarter-on-quarter basis. In 4Q2020, clinker trade prices are estimated to keep expanding quarter-on-quarter.

The Global Cement Trade Price Report is CW Research's benchmark price assessment for monthly gray cement, white cement, clinker and granulated blast furnace slag prices and volumes. The 150+ page report, published on a quarterly basis, serves as the industry go-to source for monthly price data for over 70 individual markets worldwide, including multiple cornerstone data series: import, export, ex-works and market prices.

Find out more about the report here.