São Paulo – Brazilian imports of cement from Arab countries have increased this year. The country purchased 247,000 tonnes of the product from January to September, a volume 12 times larger than in the same period of 2010. Revenues have gone from US$ 2.3 million to US$ 15.1 million, a 556% increase, according to figures supplied by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.
Still, imports from both the Arab countries and the world, pale in comparison with the volume of cement sales in Brazil. According to the National Cement Industry Union (SNIC), 47.2 million tonnes of the product were sold in the country from January to September, 7.7% more than in the same period of 2010. The value of imports from the Arab world accounted for only 0.52% of national consumption.
The Arab countries which supplied cement to Brazil in the first nine months of the year were the Emirates, Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia. The Emirates were the top seller. The country is home to some cement manufacturers, such as Union Cement Company and Fujairah Cement Industries, but it is also a major re-exporter of products to the region. The types of product shipped from the Arab world to Brazil were non-pulverized cement, also known as clinker, and Portland cement, i.e. the white variety.
The Brazilian construction market is booming due to the good economic situation, and should continue due to investment for the World Cup 2014. In 2011, consumption should reach an all-time high at 65 million, according to the SNIC. According to information published on the union’s website, there are 79 factories in Brazil, belonging to 14 domestic and foreign groups, with a combined installed capacity for 78 million tonnes a year, enabling the domestic demand to be fully met.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
