Bolivian cement exports have faced a significant decline in recent years. In 2023, overseas shipments of cement decreased by 4% to 38,589 tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after five years of growth[1][3]. Cement exports from Bolivia, which comprised 4% of total exports in 2023, have contracted notably in value terms to $1.46 million[2][5].
The main destination for Bolivian cement exports is Paraguay, accounting for 99% of total exports in 2022[5]. Exports to Paraguay reached 158,194 tons out of a total of 162,175 tons in 2017, and continued in 2018 with 72,265 tons out of 76,533 tons in the first half of the year[4]. The decline in exports is attributed to a slowdown in the local construction sector in Bolivia, with large projects being delayed[4]. However, cement that cannot be sold domestically is exported to Paraguay to mitigate the impact of oversupply in the Bolivian market[4].
Citations:
[1] https://directorstalk.net/palm-oil-rises-on-strong-exports
[2] https://www.indexbox.io/store/bolivia-cement-market-analysis-forecast-size-trends-and-insights/
[3] https://cementproducts.com/2020/03/18/the-cement-industry-in-bolivia/
[4] https://www.cemnet.com/News/story/164878/cement-prices-fall-in-bolivia.html
[5] https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/cement/reporter/bol