Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Va.
Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico were 4.7 million mt in February 2012, according to the USGS. This was almost 29 perfect higher compared with shipments for February 2011. Shipments for the year through February were 9.3 million mt, up about 26 percent for the same period in 2011. Although continuing a trend of monthly increases that started in May 2011, the high percentage increase in January and February 2012, in part, reflected mild winter weather conditions.
Clinker production totaled 4.2 million mt in February 2012, nearly 21 percent higher than the output in February 2011. Production for the year through February was 8.4 million mt, up by 21.5 percent. Masonry cement shipments of about 134,000 mt for February 2012 were about 19 percent higher compared with shipments in February 2011. Shipments for the year through February were 264,000 mt, also up by 19 percent.
February 2012 imports of cement and clinker of about 291,000 mt were about 20 percent lower than February 2011. Imports for the year through February were 664,000 mt, up by 19 percent.
