China: Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that from January to July 2026, China’s cement production was 860Mt, representing a year-on-year decrease of nearly 9%. Among the 31 provinces in China, only five – Beijing, Guizhou, Yunnan, Heilongjiang and Hainan – achieved year-on-year growth in cement production during the first half of the year, according to Digital Cement Network. Most producers faced losses compared to the first half of 2025 due to a decline in both the volume and price of cement.
Infrastructure and real estate projects are reportedly facing funding shortages, and overall cement demand is weak, as well as extreme weather events like high temperatures and heavy rainfall affecting construction progress. China exported 4.1Mt of cement in the first half of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 54%, and 9.4Mt of clinker. The main export destinations were Bangladesh, Ghana and the Philippines.
