Western Europe's ex-works gray cement prices post double-digit growth in 2Q2021

Gray cement ex-works prices are estimated to witness an increase of more than 10 percent in Western Europe in the second quarter of 2021, on an annual basis, while declining by almost 9 percent in the Asia Pacific region, according to the 2Q2021 update of CW Research's Global Cement Trade Price Report.

Prices are estimated to have increased across several regions in the second quarter of the year, including North and Central America, South America, South Asia and the Mediterranean Basin.

Meanwhile, prices in the Asia-Pacific region weakened reflecting the decline in construction activities in the Philippines as a consequence of the continuing economic impact of the pandemic.

ÔÇ£Regional average ex-works prices in Western Europe during the second quarter are predicted to recover sharply from the effect of the pandemic in comparison to last year, while quarter-on-quarter prices registered a slight decline mostly due to a drop in prices in Germany, whose construction sector witnessed a contraction in 1Q2021,ÔÇØ observes Carolina Pereira, Director at CW Group.

Ex-works cement prices in the Americas continue on the rise on strong demand

During the second quarter of 2021, North and Central American cement ex-works prices are forecasted to increase by almost 1 percent quarterly, as the US housing sector sees robust demand.

In South America, average cement ex-works prices are likely to see a growth of almost 13 percent year-on-year, boosted by strong cement sales in key markets including Brazil, Peru, and Argentina.

India to push 2Q cement prices in South Asia up

South Asia is expected to record an increase of almost 5 percent quarter-on-quarter and 7 percent year-on-year in the average ex-works price of gray cement. In India, cement prices have been witnessing an upward pressure on the back of strong rural demand and higher input costs.

Ex-works prices in the Middle East are expected to witness an increase quarter-on-quarter and a decline of almost 3 percent year-on-year, with the UAE to see the highest increase in prices during the quarter.

Ex-works prices to continue on an upward trend in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa in 3Q

For the third quarter of 2021, CW Research expects prices to continue to rise in South Asia, with India and Pakistan leading price increases, in Sub-Saharan Africa, as South Africa and Nigeria's construction sectors continue to see a positive performance, and in South America, with strong price increases in Brazil, Argentina, and Ecuador to drive ex-works prices in the region.

Meanwhile, in China ex-works prices are expected to witness a decline as the country enters the rainy season.

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.