The value of Algerian cement imports were up 30.11% to US$283.9 million in H1 2014 compared to the same period of 2013, reports the country’s customs authority. The imported quantity is estimated to weigh 3.09 million tonnes, compared to 2.44 million tonnes in H1 2013, an increase of 26.55%.
According to Algeria’s Ministry for Industrial Development and Investment Promotion, the country should not have to import any more cement within three to four years, thanks to a growth in national production, with around ten cement plant projects launched in 2014. The government is aiming for production of 20 million tonnes/year by 2016 and 29 million tonnes/year by 2018. At present, Algeria produces 18 million tonnes/year and imports between 2 million and 3 million tonnes/year to cater to local demand, estimated at 21 million tonnes/year.
