Key message: Imports seem to be stabilizing after falling 31% in CY22. The weak ZAR does not seem to be having an impact.
- January to May 2023 saw imports of 323kt, down 1% from the same period in 2022. Cement imports fell 31% to 730kt for CY22. Cement imports to May 2023 are down 14% on a 12-month rolling basis.
- Supply chain disruptions have largely eased, but cement imports do not seem to be accelerating after the decline in CY22. A weak ZAR should be discouraging imports, although this is not evident.
- Recent data from the cement producers reveals weak demand and attempts to catch up with the significant cost inflation of recent years:
- PPC: cement price increases for the year to March 2023 of 8% and volumes down 6%.
- Sephaku Cement: cement price increases for the year to December 2022 of 8% and volumes down 12%.
- Small amounts of cement are being imported from Mozambique and Namibia (<5% of total), with Vietnam remaining the main import source.