Pakistan: Data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics shows that cement exports grew by 40% year-on-year to 6.41Mt in the financial year to the end of June 2019 from 4.56Mt in the same period in 2018. The value of the exports rose by 22% to US$272m from US$223m.

US: Mississippi Lime says that Midwestern flood levels have receded sufficiently enough to enable it to resume normal barge and rail loading and shipping. Previously, the lime producer reported that flooding by the Mississippi River reduced its distribution and supply capabilities in May 2019. Barge loading facilities were affected and flood gates near its Ste Genevieve, Missouri plant were closed forcing it to use an alternate rail route, which reduced shipment capacity and increased costs.

Italy: The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has reduced a fine against Cementi Rossi by 20% to Euro4.6m. The fine relates to a penalty of Euro184m levied against a number of cement producers and the Italian Cement Association (AITEC), according to the Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper. The original fine of Euro5.8m was reduced following an appeal to the AGCM.

China: Cement production volumes grew by 6.8% year-on-year to 1.05Bnt in the first half of 2019. Profits from the sector rose by around 20% to US$11.6bn, according to the China Securities Journal and the Xinhua News Agency. This growth has been attributed to buoyant real estate and infrastructure markets. The trend is expected to continue into the second half of the year with even greater profits anticipated. In 2018 the sector reported a record high profit of US$22.5Bn.