The overall cost of globally imported cement increased by 13.5% for all importing countries since 2018 when international purchases of cement amounted to $13.2 billion.
Year over year, the value for cement imports fell by an average -7.8% compared to $16.3 billion in 2021.
An ingredient of concrete, cement is a binder substance often used in construction because it sets, hardens, adheres and binds other materials together.
The 5 biggest importers of cement by value in 2022 were the United States of America, Philippines, China, United Kingdom, then France. Collectively, those major buyers accounted for just over one-third (33.8%) of cement bought on international markets.
From a continental perspective, buyers in Asian countries spent the most on imported cement during 2022 with purchases costing $4.2 billion or 28% of the global total. Close behind in second place were European importers at 27% while another 19.4% of the world’s imported cement was delivered to North America ahead of the 16.3% worth sent to African customers.
Smaller percentages went to clients in Latin America (7.3%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean, then Oceania (2.1%) led by Australia, Fiji and French Polynesia.
For research purposes, the 4-digit Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) code prefix for cement is 2523.
Cement Imports by Country
Below are the 15 countries that bought the highest dollar value worth of cement during 2022.
- United States: US$2.7 billion (17.9% of total cement imports)
- Philippines: $638.1 million (4.3%)
- China: $600.9 million (4%)
- United Kingdom: $577.9 million (3.9%)
- France: $571.5 million (3.8%)
- Netherlands: $515.1 million (3.4%)
- Israel: $439.4 million (2.9%)
- Bangladesh: $340.7 million (2.3%)
- Italy: $286.9 million (1.9%)
- Ivory Coast: $284.8 million (1.9%)
- Singapore: $276.5 million (1.8%)
- Australia: $239.7 million (1.6%)
- Hong Kong: $233.8 million (1.6%)
- Belgium: $219.9 million (1.5%)
- Taiwan: $213.9 million (1.4%)
By value, the listed 15 countries purchased 54.2% of all cement imported in 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing markets for cement from 2021 to 2022 were: Taiwan (up 70.5%), United Kingdom (up 49.1%), United States of America (up 46.4%) and the Netherlands (up 43.3%).
A pair of top buyers posted declines in their imported cement purchases, namely mainland China (down -62.9% from 2021) and Bangladesh (down -54.1%).
Top Cement Suppliers to Importers in America
America’s global purchases of imported cement totaled US$2.69 billion in 2022. Below are the top 15 suppliers from which the U.S. imported the highest dollar value worth of cement during 2022. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country from 2021 to 2022.
- Türkiye: US$861.2 million (up 97.7% from 2021)
- Canada: $515.4 million (down -4.3%)
- Mexico: $294.5 million (up 67.7%)
- Vietnam: $294.5 million (up 109.4%)
- Greece: $185.1 million (up 49.6%)
- Colombia: $83.5 million (up 135.4%)
- South Korea: $77.9 million (up 15%)
- United Arab Emirates: $63.8 million (up 913.8%)
- Egypt: $51.1 million (up 54.4%)
- France: $51.1 million (up 27.7%)
- Thailand: $45.5 million (down -16.4%)
- Taiwan: $40.3 million (down -21.7%)
- Tunisia: $21.7 million (up 36.4%)
- Algeria: $18.3 million (2021 data unavailable)
- Croatia: $16.9 million (up 43.2%)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 97.4% of cement imported by the United States of America in 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of cement to the United States from 2021 to 2022 were: United Arab Emirates (up 913.8%), Colombia (up 135.4%), Vietnam (up 109.4%) and Türkiye (up 97.7%).
A trio of major providers experienced declines in the value of their cement supplied to American importers, namely: Taiwan (down -21.7% from 2021), Thailand (down -16.4%) and Canada (down -4.3%).
Overall, the value of America’s imported cement accelerated by an average 46.4% from all supplying countries since 2021 when cement purchased cost $1.8 billion.
Top Cement Suppliers to Importers in the Philippines
Philippines’ global purchases of imported cement totaled US$638.1 million in 2022. Below are the top 15 suppliers from which the Philippines imported the highest dollar value worth of cement during 2022. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country from 2021 to 2022.
- Vietnam: US$476.6 million (up 12.6% from 2021)
- Japan: $54.5 million (up 80.2%)
- Indonesia: $52.7 million (down -28.2%)
- South Korea: $21.3 million (down -27.1%)
- Thailand: $17.3 million (down -12.1%)
- Malaysia: $7.6 million (up 29.3%)
- United Arab Emirates: $3.7 million (down -6.4%)
- mainland China: $2.8 million (down -53.4%)
- Pakistan: $1.1 million (up 1271.1%)
- France: $203,000 (up 57.4%)
- Egypt: $83,000 (down -65.3%)
- Netherlands: $74,000 (down -11.9%)
- Algeria: $54,000 (2021 data unavailable)
- Singapore: $52,000 (up 940%)
- Croatia: $46,000 (up 318.2%)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 99.99% of cement imported by the Philippines in 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of cement to the Philippines from 2021 to 2022 were: Pakistan (up 1,271%), Singapore (up 940%), Croatia (up 318.2%) and Japan (up 80.2%).
Countries that experienced declines in the value of their cement supplied to Filipino importers included: Egypt (down -65.3%), mainland China (down -53.4%), Indonesia (down -28.2%) and South Korea (down -27.1%).
Overall, the value of Philippines’s imported cement went up by an average 4.9% from all supplying countries since 2021 when cement purchased cost $608.3 million.
Cement Imports into the People’s Republic of China
Mainland China’s global purchases of imported cement totaled US$600.9 million in 2022. Below are the top 15 suppliers from which China imported the highest dollar value worth of cement during 2022. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country from 2021 to 2022.
- Vietnam: US$526.4 million (down -60.6% from 2021)
- Japan: $32.9 million (down -63.2%)
- South Korea: $23.7 million (down -74.5%)
- Indonesia: $8.3 million (down -84.6%)
- Netherlands: $4 million (down -2.9%)
- Pakistan: $2.1 million (down -85.9%)
- France: $1.5 million (up 42.3%)
- Malaysia: $619,000 (down -35.4%)
- Italy: $526,000 (up 29.2%)
- United States of America: $245,000 (down -21%)
- Spain: $203,000 (down -61%)
- Croatia: $147,000 (down -57.8%)
- Türkiye: $63,000 (down -4.5%)
- Thailand: $54,000 (down -99.7%)
- Germany: $50,000 (down -3.8%)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 99.98% of cement imported by China in 2022.
Among the above countries, just two grew as suppliers of cement to China from 2021 to 2022, namely France (up 42.3%) and Italy (up 29.2%).
Countries that experienced declines in the value of their cement sold to Chinese importers included: Thailand (down -99.7% from 2021), Pakistan (down -85.9%), Indonesia (down -84.6%) and South Korea (down -74.5%).
Overall, the value of China’s imported cement declined by an average -62.9% from all supplying countries since 2021 when cement purchased cost $1.6 billion.
Top Cement Suppliers to Importers in France
France’s global purchases of imported cement totaled US$571.5 million in 2022. Below are the top 15 suppliers from which France imported the highest dollar value worth of cement during 2022. Within parenthesis is the percentage change in value for each supplying country from 2021 to 2022.
- Belgium: US$112.9 million (down -6.2% from 2021)
- Spain: $111.1 million (down -7.4%)
- Algeria: $56.1 million (up 53.6%)
- Luxembourg: $46.8 million (down -8.1%)
- Germany: $37.6 million (down -9.1%)
- Italy: $32.7 million (down -7.5%)
- Türkiye: $32.6 million (up 65%)
- Vietnam: $21 million (up 45.3%)
- Morocco: $18.8 million (down -3.6%)
- Denmark: $14.6 million (up 27.7%)
- Malaysia: $12.1 million (up 77.3%)
- Greece: $11.8 million (up 28.1%)
- Colombia: $11.6 million (up 31.1%)
- United Kingdom: $11 million (down -25.3%)
- Portugal: $9.5 million (down -20.4%)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 94.6% of cement imported by France in 2022.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing suppliers of cement to France from 2021 to 2022 were: Malaysia (up 77.3%), Türkiye (up 65%), Algeria (up 53.6%) and Vietnam (up 45.3%).
Major providers that experienced declines in the value of their cement supplied to French importers included: United Kingdom (down -25.3%), Portugal (down -20.4%), Germany (down -9.1%) and Luxembourg (down -8.1%).
Overall, the value of France’s imported cement flatlined via an average 1.6% upturn from all supplying countries since 2021 when cement purchased cost $562.5 million.
Searchable List of Cement Importer Countries in 2022
By value, the top 100 importers of cement in the searchable database below bought 95.1% of all cement imported worldwide.
Rank | Importer | Cement Imports | 2021-2 |
---|---|---|---|
1. | United States | $2,690,037,000 | +46.4% |
2. | Philippines | $638,089,000 | +4.9% |
3. | China | $600,910,000 | -62.9% |
4. | United Kingdom | $577,935,000 | +49.1% |
5. | France | $571,466,000 | +1.6% |
6. | Netherlands | $515,073,000 | +43.3% |
7. | Israel | $439,405,000 | +28.7% |
8. | Bangladesh | $340,684,000 | -54.1% |
9. | Italy | $286,867,000 | +42.6% |
10. | Ivory Coast | $284,827,000 | +1% |
11. | Singapore | $276,475,000 | +18.4% |
12. | Australia | $239,665,000 | +13.5% |
13. | Hong Kong | $233,756,000 | +0.3% |
14. | Belgium | $219,906,000 | +0.7% |
15. | Taiwan | $213,858,000 | +70.5% |
16. | Canada | $206,401,000 | +19% |
17. | Chile | $202,128,000 | +20.1% |
18. | Sri Lanka | $192,328,000 | -34.4% |
19. | Ghana | $183,684,000 | -2.1% |
20. | Germany | $180,389,000 | -8.4% |
21. | Burkina Faso | $173,890,000 | -8.9% |
22. | Mali | $165,916,000 | -5% |
23. | Hungary | $161,476,000 | +17% |
24. | Austria | $136,942,000 | -7.5% |
25. | Poland | $130,903,000 | -8.5% |
26. | Malaysia | $127,525,000 | +59.6% |
27. | Spain | $124,615,000 | +22.5% |
28. | Peru | $112,998,000 | -33.4% |
29. | Dominican Republic | $112,839,000 | +40.6% |
30. | India | $111,539,000 | -16.1% |
31. | Cameroon | $106,407,000 | -46.8% |
32. | Guatemala | $105,150,000 | +5.6% |
33. | Romania | $98,344,000 | -3.4% |
34. | Haiti | $95,027,000 | -18.1% |
35. | Uzbekistan | $92,713,000 | -27.8% |
36. | Sweden | $81,983,000 | +7.2% |
37. | Senegal | $81,120,000 | +16.6% |
38. | Niger | $80,584,000 | +1.2% |
39. | Palestine | $79,926,000 | -58.2% |
40. | Syria | $78,766,000 | +10% |
41. | Uganda | $78,501,000 | -52.9% |
42. | Norway | $77,238,000 | +39.6% |
43. | Czech Republic | $75,746,000 | +1.3% |
44. | Madagascar | $73,238,000 | -7.9% |
45. | Jordan | $69,410,000 | +104% |
46. | Mauritania | $67,668,000 | -7.5% |
47. | Thailand | $67,527,000 | +3.5% |
48. | Guinea | $66,024,000 | +12.7% |
49. | Afghanistan | $63,944,000 | -44.4% |
50. | Denmark | $62,647,000 | -3.3% |
51. | Bahrain | $62,435,000 | +0.8% |
52. | Switzerland | $62,396,000 | -6.3% |
53. | Portugal | $60,502,000 | -11.4% |
54. | Mauritius | $60,112,000 | +25.7% |
55. | South Africa | $59,304,000 | -15.2% |
56. | Zimbabwe | $58,078,000 | +21.6% |
57. | Botswana | $56,499,000 | -22.1% |
58. | Mozambique | $54,445,000 | -36.5% |
59. | Paraguay | $53,443,000 | -6% |
60. | Colombia | $52,848,000 | +4.5% |
61. | Kazakhstan | $52,498,000 | -13.7% |
62. | Georgia | $52,221,000 | +19.2% |
63. | Gambia | $51,678,000 | +165.9% |
64. | Nicaragua | $51,609,000 | -27.7% |
65. | El Salvador | $51,572,000 | -7.1% |
66. | Croatia | $50,301,000 | +5.9% |
67. | Brazil | $48,985,000 | +35.9% |
68. | Kenya | $48,537,000 | -26.4% |
69. | Serbia | $47,535,000 | -3.8% |
70. | Bosnia/Herzegovina | $47,483,000 | +10.5% |
71. | Sierra Leone | $46,795,000 | +28.7% |
72. | Slovenia | $46,398,000 | +13.9% |
73. | Estonia | $45,911,000 | +31.2% |
74. | Togo | $45,604,000 | -34% |
75. | Rwanda | $45,545,000 | -10.5% |
76. | Bulgaria | $45,038,000 | -4.1% |
77. | Libya | $43,341,000 | -71.2% |
78. | Tanzania | $43,061,000 | +3.9% |
79. | Sudan | $43,018,000 | +55.5% |
80. | Guyana | $42,225,000 | -2.8% |
81. | Liberia | $41,402,000 | +22.4% |
82. | Slovakia | $40,831,000 | -27.9% |
83. | Montenegro | $40,207,000 | +37.6% |
84. | Democr. Rep. Congo | $39,753,000 | -36.4% |
85. | South Korea | $39,428,000 | +6% |
86. | Malta | $37,221,000 | +18.1% |
87. | Myanmar | $36,648,000 | -47.3% |
88. | Benin | $36,399,000 | -33.5% |
89. | Greece | $35,364,000 | +21% |
90. | Equatorial Guinea | $34,469,000 | +274.3% |
91. | Japan | $32,775,000 | -7.8% |
92. | Burundi | $31,311,000 | -19.1% |
93. | Laos | $29,931,000 | +76.3% |
94. | Iceland | $29,531,000 | +74.4% |
95. | Qatar | $27,632,000 | +27.5% |
96. | Eswatini | $26,572,000 | -12.2% |
97. | Malawi | $26,451,000 | -30.3% |
98. | Cabo Verde | $26,098,000 | -3.8% |
99. | Macao | $25,958,000 | +15.6% |
100. | Russia | $25,670,000 | -72.6% |
Expanding the scope to encompass the 100 most valuable importers of cement, the fastest-growing markets were Equatorial Guinea (up 274.3% from 2021), Gambia (up 165.9%), Jordan (up 104%), Laos (up 76.3%), Iceland (up 74.4%) then Taiwan (up 70.5%).
You can change the presentation order by clicking the triangle icon at the top of any of the columns in the above table.
An entry of 0% in the right-most column means that no 2021 data was available.
See also Cement Exports by Country, America’s Top Trading Partners, China’s Top Trading Partners and Philippines Top Trading Partners
Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Field Listing: Imports – Commodities. Accessed on August 3, 2023
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on August 3, 2023
Investopedia, Net Exports Definition. Accessed on August 3, 2023
Wikipedia, Cement. Accessed on August 3, 2023