FOB cement prices in the Mediterranean Basin continue on an upward trend in May

• Cement export prices for bulk ordinary Portland cement both in the Mediterranean Basin and in the Persian Gulf-Arabian Sea regions increased by almost 2 percent month-on-month
• East African CFR prices for bagged cement continued to rise in May
• Spanish cement exports continue to post decline in March
• Cement exports weaken both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in April

Greenwich (CT), USA, May 31, 2022 – Cement export prices for bulk ordinary Portland cement in the Mediterranean Basin region increased by almost 2 percent month-on-month in May 2022, maintaining the upward trend seen in the past few months, as energy and fuel inflation continues to affect cement production, according to CW Research's Cement and Clinker Price Assessments for Med Basin and the Persian Gulf & East Africa..

Export prices for clinker also posted a 2 percent monthly increase in the same month in the region. Meanwhile, in the Persian Gulf-Arabian Sea, FOB prices for bulk Portland cement rose almost 3 percent, while clinker export prices rose more than 1 percent month-on-month in May.

In the same month, CFR prices for bagged cement in East Africa increased by over 3 percent month-on-month.

"Several countries are seeing declining cement export volumes, while prices continue rising due to energy and fuel costs, as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, shipping availability and high freight rates continue to weigh on the global cement industry," comments Wanderson Teixeira, Business Analyst at CW Group.

Spanish cement exports continue to post decline in March

Cement exports from Spain decreased in March by 25 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, imports declined 2 percent when compared to the same period last year. In the domestic market, cement consumption also decreased, down by 16 percent year-on-year.

In Morocco, cement sales also declined by almost 23 percent in April 2022, compared to the same period last year. In the first four months of 2022, cement deliveries declined more than 5 percent year-on-year.

Cement exports weaken both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in April

Pakistan cement exports declined in April, down by 82 percent when compared to the same period last year. In the first ten months of the current fiscal year, cement exports declined about 40 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, cement exports also decreased in April, down by 53 percent from April 2021. On the other hand, clinker exports in April 2022 increased 44 percent year-on-year.

Shipping market outlook

In terms of shipping at a global level, the Baltic Dry Index reached 2,939 points on May 10, up by 908 points compared to 2,031 points on April 11, due to gains across all segments.

In the shipping market, Royal Bodewes won an order to build a 7,750-dwt cement carrier for Taiwanese U-Mining Marine, with delivery for the first quarter of 2024. The 115-meter-long cement carrier with a breadth of 15.8 meters has a customer-specific loading and unloading system designed specifically for sailing along the coast and islands of Taiwan.

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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