Brazil: Cement sales rose by 2% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, reaching 32.9Mt, according to the cement industry association SNIC. In June 2026, 5.8Mt were sold, representing a 8% year-on-year increase. The positive results were reportedly driven by a robust labour market, with unemployment closing the quarter at the lowest rate since 2012, at 6%. However, the price of petcoke saw increases of around 30% so far in 2026, along with increases in diesel prices driving up road freight costs. A potential shift to a 40-hour week for the cement sector is estimated to raise labour costs by approximately 15%, from standard 24/7 operations. Industrial confidence improved, reflecting the easing of Middle East conflicts and the stabilisation of international oil prices. However, the construction sector showed ‘signs of pessimism’, weighed down by rising costs, slowing activity, and a ‘severe’ shortage of skilled labour.
José Eduardo Ramos, chair of the board of SNIC, said “The sector closes the first half of the year with a positive performance. Declining unemployment and a total wage bill at historic levels were key factors in this outcome. Housing - particularly the Minha Casa, Minha Vida program - combined with the acceleration of rigid-pavement road projects and concrete roadways, played a decisive role in our growth. The economic landscape calls for caution: rising inflation, upward revisions to interest rate (Selic) projections, and record levels of household debt continue to severely constrain credit capacity and consumer spending. Nevertheless, the sector maintains its outlook of ending the year with growth of close to 2%.”