Cement Net Review: Surge of 289.7%! The "Tactical Rush" of Cement Clinker Export Is Not a Strategic Answer

Customs, from January to April 2026, China's cement and clinker exports reached 8.85 million tons, a sharp increase of 289.7% over the same period last year. Among them, exports in April were 2.66 million tons, up 233% year-on-year.

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When domestic production falls to a new low since 2010 and prices continue to fall, export has become the direction for many domestic cement enterprises to expand their development space.

It is reported that in order to seize overseas market opportunities and ease internal pressure, leading enterprises such as Jinyu Jidong Cement, Huaxin Cement , Huarun Building Material Technology and Tianrui Group have made great efforts to expand export channels. The export territory covers Nepal, Russia, Myanmar, Africa, Brunei, Central America and other countries and regions, forming a "multi-point blossom" global export pattern.

In 2025, China's total exports of cement and clinker exceeded 11.71 million tons, an increase of 118% over the same period last year, crossing the 10 million tons mark at one stroke. The export of clinker was 5.15 million tons, with a year-on-year increase of 1392%; the export of cement was 6.57 million tons, with a year-on-year increase of 31%. In 2026, it will continue to grow rapidly-the export volume in the first four months has reached 8.85 million tons, a sharp increase of 289.7% over the same period last year, completing 75.6% of the total volume of last year; the export volume in April was 2.66 million tons, a sharp increase of 233% over the same period last year. Although the

export surge is bright, it is not "beautiful" on the surface, and it is difficult for domestic enterprises to become a reliable means to cope with the new industry cycle.

On the one hand, the risk of trade friction may increase. It is hard not to alarm destination countries when Chinese cement pours into the international market at nearly halved prices. Historically, the European Union, Canada, South Korea and other places have launched anti-dumping investigations on Chinese cement products. At present, export destinations are highly concentrated in developing countries, and once the trade protection mechanism in these markets is activated, the consequences will be unimaginable. The 1392% growth rate of clinker export itself is a signal flare-such an abnormal growth curve is extremely eye-catching in international trade statistics.

On the other hand, export prices have fallen year on year, and there is a risk of "losing money and earning money" in cement foreign trade. According to the data published by China Cement Net, the average export price of domestic cement from January to April this year was 45.26 US dollars, 6.44 US dollars lower than that of last year, or 12.46% lower; the export price of clinker was 33.37 US dollars, 4.23 US dollars lower than that of last year, or 11.25% lower. The downward pressure of international cement clinker price also exists, and it is affected by many factors with strong uncertainty. At the same time, based on the average export price of $43/ton (about 310 yuan), after deducting the related expenses, the actual profit of the enterprise is hard to say .

In addition, exports cannot replace domestic demand. Even if the current growth rate is kept optimistic, the annual export or burst code is 25 million tons, but this is only about 1.5% of the national annual output. For an industry with clinker production capacity exceeding 1.7 billion tons and cement production capacity exceeding 3.5 billion tons, it is a drop in the bucket. Moreover, not all cement enterprises have the basic conditions for export, for the vast majority of enterprises in inland areas, cement export is almost impossible, and it is more critical to manage their own "one mu, three parts of land".

It must be admitted that the surge in exports is a rational choice for enterprises in the face of difficulties, and it is worth affirming their ability to respond flexibly. But for cement enterprises to solve the current predicament, it is no different from a drop in the bucket. For large enterprises that actively promote exports, of course, exports should continue and be done well, but it is either a buffer in the transition period or a supplement to the expansion of the enterprise market, but it is not a long-term meal ticket; it is a tactical action of the enterprise, not a strategic answer.