Egypt’s cement industry has reported a surge in total sales, recording 3.64 metric tonnes during June 2020, including minimal exports, up 42% month-on-month (m-o-m) and 1% year-on-year (y-o-y).

June’s improvement follows on from one of the lowest monthly sales run rates on record during May. Sales have been severely impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the partial lockdowns across the country.

With the latest dispatch indications, construction activity seems to have resumed, heading back towards normal levels.

With regards to individual producers, the m-o-m turnaround was recorded across companies including Suez Cement, which reported a sales growth of 55% m-o-m and 24% y-o-y to 599 metric kilotonne (kt). Arabian Cement reported sales rising 30% m-o-m and 17% y-o-y, to record 320kt. Misr Beni Suef Cement recorded a sales growth of 29% m-o-m to 89kt, although this reflected a drop of 59% y-o-y.