The performance of the Brazilian cement industry in 2025

In 2025, the Brazilian economy grew by 2.3 % amid high interest rates and a contractionary monetary environment. Despite these constraints, the labor market remained resilient, with historically low unemployment and rising real incomes supporting household consumption. The construction sector expanded by 0.5 %, reaching record formal employment levels, while cement sales increased 3.7 % to 67 million tons, consolidating the recovery initiated in 2024, though still below the 2014 peak.

Cement market performance was supported by resilient real estate activity, particularly driven by the federal housing program Minha Casa, Minha Vida (MCMV). However, high interest rates, reduced real estate credit, elevated household indebtedness, and shifting household consumption patterns limited stronger growth. Even in this challenging environment, the Brazilian cement industry maintained its position as a modern, energy-efficient sector with low carbon intensity and growing use of alternative fuels.

Looking ahead to 2026, cement demand is expected to grow moderately, depending on the effective implementation of housing, transport infrastructure, and sanitation programs. These areas represent key opportunities to address Brazil’s infrastructure gap while sustaining industry expansion and advancing the sector’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050.