Cement sales up 18.6% in Q3

MANILA, Philippines - Cement sales grew by nearly a fifth in the third quarter from a year ago on the back of increased consumer spending, the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) said.

CeMAP president Ernesto Ordoñez said in a text message the country’s total cement sales reached 6.4 million tons in the period July to September, 5.4 million tons higher than the same period last year.

The growth was attributed to the expansion of several infrastructure projects in both the public and private sectors, and the increased budget of the government for infrastructure projects.

“The weather was also better this year compared last year, so that was also a factor. Plus the upcoming APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit,” he added.

Ordoñez is optimistic cement sales will continue their upward trajectory for the remaining months of the year.

The CeMAP is composed of the Cemex Philippines Group of Companies, Holcim Philippines Inc., Lafarge Associated Companies, Northern Cement Corp., Pacific Cement Philippines Inc., and Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc.