Top 10 Countries for Cement Imports in 2023

March 6th, 2024 IndexBox Leave a comment

When it comes to the global cement market, certain countries stand out for their significant import volumes. These countries play a crucial role in meeting the demand for cement in their respective regions and contribute to the overall growth of the cement industry worldwide. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top import markets for cement, based on data provided by IndexBox market intelligence platform.

1. United States

The United States tops the list of the world’s best import markets for cement, with an import value of 2.1 billion USD in 2023. The country’s construction industry is a major driver of cement imports, as it continues to expand and develop infrastructure projects across the nation. The United States relies on imports to supplement its domestic cement production and meet the growing demand for construction materials.

2. Netherlands

The Netherlands is another key player in the global cement market, with an import value of 460.0 million USD in 2023. The country’s strategic location and well-developed infrastructure make it a popular transit point for cement shipments heading to other European countries. The Dutch construction industry also contributes to the demand for cement imports in the country.

3. France

France is a significant importer of cement, with an import value of 433.9 million USD in 2023. The country’s construction sector is a major consumer of cement, as France continues to invest in infrastructure projects and urban development. Cement imports play a crucial role in meeting the demand for construction materials in France.

4. Israel

Israel is one of the top import markets for cement, with an import value of 430.6 million USD in 2023. The country’s construction industry is a key driver of cement imports, as Israel looks to expand its infrastructure and housing projects. Cement imports contribute to meeting the growing demand for construction materials in Israel.

5. Philippines

The Philippines is a significant importer of cement, with an import value of 391.4 million USD in 2023. The country’s construction sector is a major consumer of cement, as the Philippines continues to invest in infrastructure projects and urban development. Cement imports are essential for meeting the demand for construction materials in the Philippines.

6. Italy

Italy is another key player in the global cement market, with an import value of 261.2 million USD in 2023. The country’s construction industry is a major driver of cement imports, as Italy looks to expand its infrastructure and urban development projects. Cement imports play a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for construction materials in Italy.

7. Singapore

Singapore is a significant importer of cement, with an import value of 220.0 million USD in 2023. The country’s strategic location and well-developed infrastructure make it a popular transit point for cement shipments in Southeast Asia. Singapore’s construction sector also contributes to the demand for cement imports in the country.

8. Palestine

Palestine is one of the top import markets for cement, with an import value of 203.3 million USD in 2023. The country’s construction industry is a major consumer of cement, as Palestine continues to invest in infrastructure projects and urban development. Cement imports play a crucial role in meeting the demand for construction materials in Palestine.

9. Hong Kong SAR

Hong Kong SAR is a significant importer of cement, with an import value of 201.4 million USD in 2023. The region’s well-developed infrastructure and high construction activity create a strong demand for cement imports. Hong Kong SAR relies on imports to supplement its domestic cement production and meet the growing demand for construction materials.

10. Hungary

Hungary is another key player in the global cement market, with an import value of 188.7 million USD in 2023. The country’s construction industry is a major driver of cement imports, as Hungary looks to expand its infrastructure and urban development projects. Cement imports play a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for construction materials in Hungary. In conclusion, the world’s best import markets for cement play a vital role in meeting the demand for construction materials and supporting the growth of the global cement industry. These countries rely on imports to supplement their domestic cement production and contribute to the development of infrastructure projects and urban development. By strategically importing cement, these countries ensure a steady supply of construction materials and contribute to the overall success of the cement industry worldwide.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

Global Trade Daily, United states news

A Guide to Successful Market Entry Strategy for Cement in the United States

September 14th, 2023 IndexBox Leave a comment

Successful Market Entry Strategy for Cement in the United States

The cement industry plays a crucial role in the construction sector, providing the essential building material for infrastructure development. The United States, with its booming construction market, presents a promising opportunity for cement producers looking to enter the market. However, entering a new market requires careful planning and execution of an effective market entry strategy. In this guide, we will outline the key steps and considerations for a successful market entry strategy for cement in the United States.

Step 1: Market Research and Analysis

Before entering any market, conducting thorough market research and analysis is crucial. Gathering data and insights about the cement industry in the United States will help you understand market dynamics, identify potential challenges, and discover opportunities for growth. This information can be obtained from various official sources and authorities, such as:

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): USGS provides comprehensive data and reports on cement production, consumption, and imports in the United States. The data can help you understand market trends, demand-supply dynamics, and the competitive landscape.
The U.S. Census Bureau: The Census Bureau provides valuable demographic and economic data that can assist in identifying target markets and understanding consumer behavior.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC): USITC offers insights into trade policies, regulations, and import/export statistics related to the cement industry. This information will help you navigate the complex trade landscape and understand the competition.

Step 2: Engage with Authorities and Seek Assistance

When entering a new market, it is essential to engage with relevant authorities and seek their assistance. This ensures compliance with regulations, understanding of local laws, and access to support programs. The following authorities can provide valuable guidance:

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC): The DOC offers various services and programs to assist foreign businesses in navigating the U.S. market. They can provide guidance on trade policies, market access, and regulatory compliance.
The U.S. Commercial Service: A division of the DOC, the U.S. Commercial Service offers market research, trade leads, and promotional events to help businesses target the right audience and connect with potential buyers. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA provides resources, loans, and counseling services to small businesses looking to enter the U.S. market. They offer assistance in business planning, financing, and strategic decision-making.

Step 3: Identify Key Trade Shows and Exhibitions

Participating in trade shows and exhibitions is an excellent way to showcase your cement products, network with industry professionals, and gain exposure in the United States. Here is a list of notable cement-related trade shows and exhibitions in the country:

World of Concrete: Held annually in Las Vegas, World of Concrete is one of the largest trade shows dedicated to the concrete and cement industry. It attracts industry professionals, contractors, and suppliers from around the world.
National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) Annual Convention: This convention brings together cement masonry professionals, manufacturers, and industry experts to discuss the latest trends and innovations in the cement industry.
International Cement Seminar & Exhibition: Organized by the Portland Cement Association (PCA), this event focuses on the cement manufacturing and distribution sector. It provides a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing.
Cement Business & Industry Africa: This event focuses on the cement industry in Africa, but attracts delegates from around the world. It offers opportunities for collaboration and understanding regional market dynamics.

Conclusion

Entering the United States cement market requires a well-planned and executed strategy. Thorough market research, engagement with authorities, and active participation in trade shows and exhibitions are crucial steps to ensure a successful market entry. By leveraging official data sources, such as the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. International Trade Commission, and seeking assistance from authorities like the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S.

Commercial Service, you can make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of the market. Additionally, participating in prominent trade shows like World of Concrete and the NCMA Annual Convention will help you gain exposure and establish valuable industry connections. Utilizing market intelligence platforms like IndexBox can also provide valuable insights to support your market entry strategy.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Asian Construction Boom Set to Secure Stable Cement Market Growth

May 22nd, 2021 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Cement – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

Consistent demand from the construction sector maneuvered the global cement market through the pandemic and promoted its further expansion. The robust growth currently being seen in the Asian residential and infrastructural sector is set to become a key market driver in the near term.

Key Trends and Insights

Despite the fact that many cement plants remained idle and inactive during the Covid lockdown, 2020 figures indicate that global cement production remained consistent with 2019 output (4.2B tonnes, IndexBox estimates). The demand for cement is buoyed by construction industry growth in the USA, India, and China and building renovation works in the EU and other countries.

Vietnam (+7.6% CARG), Indonesia (+5.6% CARG), India (+5.5% CARG) and China (+4.4% CARG) indicated the most significant rate of consumption growth from 2007 to 2020.

The announcement of large-scale construction projects in the Asia-Pacific region has secured confidence regarding a stable growth in demand for cement in the near term. In June 2020, Vietnam adopted public-private partnership legislation to attract investment into the housing construction sector. The government’s five-year development plan to 2024 in Indonesia envisages the development of megacities and the construction of a new capital in Eastern Indonesia. In 2020, India launched the state initiative The Housing for All, which outlines the construction of 11M housing units for the poor by 2022. The housing construction sector in China will expand further due to the substantial increased investment seen in 2021.

In the USA, suburban construction continues to develop; it started during the pandemic, following the shift to remote working and the drive to move away from the large cities. The subsidized mortgage rates in Russia continue to buoy the construction market. IndexBox forecasts that over the 2020-2030 period, the global cement market is set to expand at an average annual rate of 1.8% CAGR, reaching 5.0B tonnes by 2030.

In 2020, many global cement manufacturers announced the expansion of their product lines, plans to use renewable sources of energy and decarbonization initiatives. Systems to capture greenhouse emissions from cement plants are seeing widespread installation in developed countries. As the ‘green’ agenda gains momentum, reducing the carbon footprint is set to become an important issue for manufacturers in terms of maintaining their competitive edge. This issue may acquire particular relevance in the EU market, where a ‘carbon tax’ is set to be introduced.

Cement Consumption by Country

China (2,375M tonnes) remains the largest cement consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 56% of total volume. Moreover, cement consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (339M tonnes), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by the U.S. (104M tonnes), with a 2.5% share.

In value terms, China ($184B) led the market alone. The second position in the ranking was occupied by India ($16.5B). It was followed by the U.S.

The countries with the highest levels of cement per capita consumption in 2020 were China (1,620 kg per person), Viet Nam (911 kg per person) and the U.S. (314 kg per person).

Global Cement Imports

In 2020, approx. 96M tonnes of cement were imported worldwide; waning by -4.4% compared with 2019. In value terms, cement imports stood at $7.5B in 2020.

In 2020, the U.S. (15M tonnes), distantly followed by Hong Kong SAR (4.1M tonnes), France (3.8M tonnes), Israel (3.3M tonnes), the Netherlands (3.2M tonnes), the UK (3.1M tonnes), Sri Lanka (2.2M tonnes), Afghanistan (2.1M tonnes), Kuwait (2M tonnes), Singapore (1.8M tonnes), Poland (1.7M tonnes), Cambodia (1.7M tonnes) and Hungary (1.5M tonnes) were the major importers of cement, together making up 48% of total imports. The following importers – Hong Kong SAR (4.1M tonnes), France (3.8M tonnes), Israel (3.3M tonnes), the Netherlands (3.2M tonnes), the UK (3.1M tonnes), Sri Lanka (2.2M tonnes), Afghanistan (2.1M tonnes), Kuwait (2M tonnes), Singapore (1.8M tonnes), Poland (1.7M tonnes), Cambodia (1.7M tonnes) and Hungary (1.5M tonnes) – together made up 32% of total imports.

In value terms, the U.S. ($1.3B) constitutes the largest market for imported cement worldwide, comprising 17% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by France ($372M), with a 5% share of global imports. It was followed by the UK, with a 4% share.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Global Cement Market Reached $305B, With China Leading the Expansion

March 19th, 2020 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Cement – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global cement market revenue amounted to $305.4B in 2018, flattening at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years.

Consumption By Country

China (2,363M tonnes) remains the largest cement consuming country worldwide, accounting for 58% of total volume. Moreover, cement consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (289M tonnes), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by the U.S. (101M tonnes), with a 2.5% share. From 2007 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of volume in China totaled +5.2%.

Production 2007-2018

In 2018, the global cement production totaled 4,072M tonnes, growing by 1.8% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years.

In value terms, cement production amounted to $289.7B in 2018 estimated in export prices. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2007 to 2018.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of cement production was China (2,370M tonnes), accounting for 58% of total volume. Moreover, cement production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (290M tonnes), eightfold. The U.S. (89M tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with a 2.2% share.

Exports 2007-2018

In 2018, the amount of cement exported worldwide amounted to 113M tonnes, picking up by 12% against the previous year. In value terms, cement exports stood at $8.1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Over the period under review, cement exports, however, continue to indicate a slight decline.

Exports by Country

In 2018, China (7,314K tonnes), Germany (6,242K tonnes), Canada (6,241K tonnes), Viet Nam (6,196K tonnes), the United Arab Emirates (5,592K tonnes), Turkey (5,484K tonnes), Pakistan (4,190K tonnes), Greece (4,036K tonnes), Spain (3,657K tonnes), Japan (3,233K tonnes), Senegal (3,028K tonnes) and Slovakia (2,503K tonnes) were the main exporters of cement exported in the world, generating 51% of total export.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates, while exports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average cement export price stood at $72 per tonne in 2018, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, the cement export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Germany ($83 per tonne), while Greece ($49 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

Imports 2007-2018

In 2018, the amount of cement imported worldwide stood at 122M tonnes, going up by 11% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2007 to 2018. In value terms, cement imports stood at $8.9B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2007 to 2018.

Imports by Country

In 2018, the U.S. (14M tonnes), followed by Sri Lanka (6,687K tonnes) represented the main importers of cement, together comprising 17% of total imports. China, Hong Kong SAR (5,399K tonnes), the Philippines (4,652K tonnes), Oman (4,509K tonnes), Singapore (4,382K tonnes), France (3,859K tonnes), the UK (3,430K tonnes), the Netherlands (3,320K tonnes), Palestine (2,706K tonnes), Cambodia (2,479K tonnes) and Mali (2,292K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into the U.S. increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2007 to 2018. The Philippines (+3.8 p.p.), Sri Lanka (+3.8 p.p.), China, Hong Kong SAR (+3.4 p.p.), Oman (+3.4 p.p.), the U.S. (+2.1 p.p.) and Cambodia (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the average cement import price amounted to $73 per tonne, rising by 1.9% against the previous year. Overall, the cement import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($101 per tonne), while Singapore ($45 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

Companies Mentioned

Lafarge Holcim , Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited , China National Building Materials (CNBM), China Resources Cement Holdings, HeidelbergCement AG, Cemex, S.A. de C.V., Saint-Gobain, Ambuja Cements, Italcementi, Votorantim Cimentos