Cement Sales Fall 7.6% in January

National cement sales declined 7.6% to 5.62 million tons in January 2019, from December 2018, so some cement producers opted to temporarily shut down their cement mills for overhaul. Widodo Santoso, Chairman of Indonesian Cement Association (ASI), said cement demand declined 1.3% in January due to heavy rains in Java and Sumatera. Some infrastructure projects also yet to start construction.

Cement sales in Java declined 1.2% to 2.16 million tons in January, Sumatera 1.18% (down 2.7%), and Sulawesi 462,000 tons (down 4.3%). While cement consumption in Kalimantan rose 3.3% to 362,000 tons, Bali & Nusa Tenggara 290,000 tons (up 1%), and Maluku & Papua 165,000 tons (up 2.4%). Cement export increased 3.3% to 247,500 tons.