[Express] US Apparent Demand for Cement Exceeds 100 Million Tons Again

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the apparent consumption of cement in 2018 increased by 3% year-on-year, from 97.4 million tons in 2017 to 100 million tons in 2018. The output of ordinary Portland cement and masonry cement increased from 86.1 million tons to 87.8 million tons, an increase of 2%, of which the output of masonry cement continued to stagnate. Total U.S. cement production continues to be well below the record level of 99 million tons in 2005. Texas, California, Missouri, Florida and Alabama are the top five cement producing States in the United States, accounting for nearly 50% of U.S. cement production. Construction spending in the United States has grown modestly this year, mainly because of increased spending in the residential and public construction sectors and a slight decline in the non-residential private construction sector,

the U.S. Geological Survey said. The States that consume the most cement are still Texas, California, and Florida. Cement production in the United States remains below capacity, reflecting in part technical and environmental problems with the return to full production of long-idled kilns at some plants, as well as the availability of imported cement in coastal markets. Imported cement has been relatively cheap in recent years during the closure of local factories. In 2018, cement imports increased by 14% from 1230 tons in the previous year to 1400 tons.