In recent years, cement from Vietnam has gained importance in terms of amount purchased, as in 2016 it represented just 0.01% of total regional imports and in 2020 it became the main supplier, as the share went up to 32%.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
In recent years, cement from Vietnam has gained importance in terms of the amount purchased, as from January to September 2018 they represented 10% of total regional imports and for the same period in 2020 the proportion rose to 30%.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua were the Central American markets that increased their hydraulic cement imports in the first half of 2020 in year-on-year terms.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
During the first quarter of 2020, Central American companies imported hydraulic cement for $48 million, and purchases from Turkey increased 154% compared to the same period in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
The new technical regulation for cement in Panama, which was scheduled to come into force on December 3, will be applicable as of March next year.
One of the new aspects of the regulation is that it requires national and importing cement companies to process a certificate of conformity and a civil liability policy for each lot to be marketed.
From the Ministry of Trade and Industry's statement:
During the first quarter of 2019, Central American companies imported hydraulic cement for $47 million, and purchases from companies in Vietnam increased 155% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
During the first nine months of 2018, Central American companies imported hydraulic cement for $110 million, and purchases from Mexico doubled compared to the same period in 2017.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
For businessmen in the sector in Panama, the rules and regulations that currently apply to the import of cement into the country have lagged behind.
According to the Chamber of Construction (Capac), cement is not the only material that should be regulated, since the rest of the main construction inputs that are marketed and used in industry should also be regulated.
During the first six months of 2018, Central American companies imported hydraulic cement for $77 million, and purchases from China increased 42% over the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the the Hydraulic Cement Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
An estimated 7,000 tons of cement from the Asian country have already entered the country, a product that is still stored and waiting to be commercialized.
Businessmen of the sector warn that norms and quality standards need to be established to regulate the entry into the country of imported material, which will compete with local production.
In the first three months of 2018, countries in Central America imported $36 million worth of hydraulic cement, 9% more than was purchased in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the Information System on the Hydraulic Cement Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In the first nine months of 2017, countries in the region imported $110 million worth of hydraulic cement, 38% more than was purchased in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Hydraulic Cement Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData : [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
The Panamanian government has decided to increase, in some cases by up to 30%, import tariffs on several products, including flowers, cement and bituminous coal, most of which are imported from the South American country.
According to a Cabinet Decree published on January 10 in the Official Newspaper, the Panamanian government decided to modify several fractions of the National Import Tariff, taxing at 30% imports of roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, calla lillies, astomerias, gladiolas and "flor de confite" (Calyptronoma plumeriana (Martius) Lourteig), which mostly come from Colombia.