Spain: According to the latest data by the Spanish Cement Manufacturers Association (Oficemen), 8.35Mt of cement were consumed between January to June 2026, 0.58Mt more than in the same period of 2025. In June 2026, consumption reached 1.56Mt, representing a year-on-year increase of 9% and 129,232t more than in the same month of 2025.

From July 2025 to June 2026, consumption stood at 17.23Mt, 12% more than in the previous twelve months. Conversely, exports continued their downward trend. For the first half of 2026, they fell by 15% to 1.95Mt, which is 0.35Mt less than the first half of 2025.

In June 2026, foreign sales fell by 12% to 0.36Mt. Exports declined by 15% year-on-year to 4.14Mt. The general director of Oficemen, Elena Guede, stated that the decline in exports is due to a structural problem and noted that the sector's foreign sales have been reduced by more than half since 2016, falling from 9.8Mt to 4.5Mt in 2025. Guede called for structural measures to reduce the energy costs of the Spanish cement industry and stated that the sector competes with a higher electricity cost structure than other European countries.

Oficemen anticipates a slowdown in the second half of the year and estimates that cement consumption growth will be around 2% by the end of 2026.

Gabon: Cimaf is preparing to commission its third US$43m cement grinding line, scheduled for September 2026. The project was presented to the President of Gabon on 20 May 2026 by a delegation led by Cimaf CEO Anas Sefrioui. It will more than double the company’s production capacity from 0.85Mt/yr to 1.85Mt/yr. It is also expected to reduce cement imports and provide 350 jobs for local people. Gabon reportedly has a demand for 0.9Mt/yr of cement.

Peru: Cementos Pacasmayo, a subsidiary of Holcim, announced today its consolidated results for the first six months of 2026 and the second quarter. For the six months, cement sales volumes increased by 14% year-on-year, mainly due to increased demand for bagged cement. Revenues increased by 13%, in line with increased sales volumes. Consolidated earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 33% year-on-year, reaching US$103m. Net income increased by 58%, reaching US$46.8m.

For the second quarter, cement and concrete sales volumes increased by 16% year-on-year, mainly due to an increase in bagged cement demand. Revenues increased by 15% year-on-year, also in line with increased sales volumes. Consolidated EBITDA increased by 34% to US$51.5m and net income was US$22.7m, a 62% increase, mainly due to higher operating income.

El Salvador: According to data from the Central Reserve Bank, El Salvador recorded a demand for 18.6 million 42.5kg bags of cement between January and April 2026. This represents an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025, when 16.6 million bags were required. The construction sector grew by nearly 14% month-on-month in April 2026, driven by various public and private construction projects.

Marcelo Arrieta, Holcim El Salvador’s CEO, said that the company has reached a production milestone, with a 45% increase in cement production and a 15% increase in clinker production year-on-year at its Maya plant in Metapán.