According to the Ministry of Construction's Department of Construction Materials, sales of cement products reached about 77.47 million tons in the first nine months of this year, which is an increase of 3.5 % year on year despite difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In September alone, sales in both domestic and foreign markets were 6.7 million tons, 1.31 million tons lower than the figure in August due to impacts of COVID-19 on construction projects.
In the first nine months of 2021, domestic sales of cement products were similar to the figure recorded in the same period last year at 45.58 million tons, while a rise of 19 percent was seen in the export volume of the products to about 31.88 million tons.
Experts attributed the result to the cement sector’s efforts in flexibly regulating the domestic and export consumption to adapt to the situation.
Pham Van Bac, Director of the Department of Construction Materials, said that the demand for cement normally rises in year-end months, especially when COVID-19 is put under good control.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Quan Cung, Chairman of the Vietnam Cement Association (VNCA), said that the cement sector has maintained good production and sales even when many other economic sectors are suffering adverse impacts from the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections.
In the fourth quarter and following years, the sector is expected to continue to expand in both domestic and foreign markets, he said, adding that the target of selling 104-107 million tons of cement products this year is feasible.
Currently, there are 24 cement production chains receiving approval from the Prime Minister for investment until 2030, with a total capacity of 36.31 million tonnes per year. In 2030, the country expects 109 chains with a combined production capacity of 140.35 million tons per year.
