Bulk ordinary FOB cement prices rise in the Med Basin and the Persian Gulf in November

• FOB prices for bulk ordinary Portland cement increase in the Mediterranean Basin and the Persian Gulf-Arabian Sea, while CFR prices rise in East Africa
• Exports continue to rise in Saudi Arabia in October
• Cement deliveries decline in Morocco

Greenwich (CT), USA, December 13, 2022 – Cement export prices for bulk ordinary Portland cement increased by around 1 percent month-on-month, in November 2022, in both the Mediterranean Basin and the Persian Gulf-Arabian Sea, according to CW Research's Cement and Clinker Price Assessments for Med Basin and the Persian Gulf & East Africa..

For bulk ordinary-grade clinker, export prices increased by less than 1 percent in both regions. Meanwhile, in East Africa, CFR prices increased by over 0.5 percent in the month.

"The price of cement continues on an upward trajectory due to the continuation of the same set of macroeconomic issues namely stubbornly high inflation, elevated gas and coal prices, in addition to logistics costs”, explained Wanderson Teixeira, Business Analyst at CW Group.

Cement consumption continues to fall in Spain

In Spain, cement consumption decreased for the fifth consecutive month in September, with a decline of 3.4 percent, according to the latest official data. Cement and clinker exports fell 5.4 percent year-on-year, leading to a decline of 19.4 percent in the first nine months of the year.

Meanwhile, Italian cement production dropped 8 percent in August, compared to the same period last year, according to the latest report from Federbeton.

Cement deliveries decline in Morocco in October

Cement deliveries continued to decline in Morocco. The country had a decrease of more than 9 percent year-to-date in October, compared to the same period the previous year. Meanwhile, in October alone there was also a decline of over 16 percent year-on-year.

Cement exports decline in Pakistan

Pakistan’s cement exports declined by over 40 percent from October 2021 to October 2022. Exports from the North increased by nearly 80 percent, while South-based cement mills saw a decrease of around 60 percent.

Meanwhile, cement exports continue to rise in Saudi Arabia. In October alone, the country reported a year-on-year increase of over 80 percent.

Algeria becomes the leading exporter of cement and clinker in Africa

The company Lafarge Algeria noted that it had "kept the promise of assisting Algeria in becoming Africa's leading exporter of cement and clinker, and second in the Mediterranean Basin..

Shipping market outlook

The Baltic Dry Index reached 1,355 points on November 11, down by 549 points compared to October 11, as overall activity reported a significant drop in the period. Meanwhile, China's iron ore imports fell by close to 5 percent in October compared to the previous month, as a growing property crisis is causing a drop in demand.

The Cement and Clinker Price Assessments for Med Basin and the Persian Gulf are part of CW Research’s price assessment series for tradable commodities. The reports offer prompt cargo (next 30-60 day deliveries) pricing insights, regular monitoring of the market, and an overview of key developments that are crucial for those involved in the cement, clinker, and petcoke trade to understand. The monthly price assessments synthesize key market information based on CW Research analysts’ ongoing interactions with market participants, including traders, exporters, buyers, and other stakeholders involved in the cement, clinker, and petcoke trade.

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