Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico were almost 6.7 million mt in April 2012, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This was 17.5% higher compared with shipments for April 2011. Shipments for the year through April were 21.9 million mt, up about 19% for the same period in 2011.
Clinker production totaled 5.4 million mt in April 2012, about 6.0% higher than the output in April 2011. Production for the year through April was 19.1 million mt, up almost 13%. Masonry cement shipments of about 166,000 mt for April were about 3% higher compared with shipments in April 2011. Shipments for the year through April were 590,000 mt, also up by 8%.
April 2012 imports of cement and clinker of about 585,000 mt were about 4% higher than April 2011. Imports for the year through April were 1.68 million mt, up 10%.
