The Global Cement Market Overview by Alexander Makhlay, Associate Editor, Argus Media will be a powerful session CarbonZero Global Conference and Exhibition 2026 (Oct 27-29, Tangla Hotel, Brussels, Belgium) that brings a comprehensive overview allowing you to strategise and decide next steps for future projects, showing you how conflict in the Mideast Gulf, EU’s CBAM and record Chinese volumes are redrawing global cement and clinker trade flows, with West Africa emerging as the key outlet for displaced supply.
Mideast Gulf
War in the region has disrupted trade. Saudi Arabia, normally the largest Gulf exporter, has reported no new cement or clinker loadings, having averaged about 113,800 t/month of cement and 295,400 t/month of clinker in 2025. UAE volumes have also fallen away from last year’s averages.
Turkey
Turkish suppliers have gained ground in West Africa and the US as Egypt concentrates on its domestic market, but the picture is complicated. Export quotas introduced on 17 April disrupted shipments, and CBAM charges from 1 January have prompted some European buyers to cut purchases. Talks on moving quotas to annual limits point to a settlement later this year.
Vietnam and China
Vietnam is squeezed by high freight rates, growing Chinese competition and a domestic focus, with several suppliers largely sold out. China, meanwhile, has pushed exports sharply higher on the back of overcapacity: 6.28mn t of cement in 2025, up 37pc on the year, and 5.15mn t of clinker, more than ten times year-earlier volumes.
West Africa
Supply has been reshuffled rather than reduced. Egypt cut clinker sales to the region from 8.22mn t in 2024 to 343,000t in 2025, and China, Vietnam and others have moved in to fill the gap. Buyers have stayed broadly consistent, and infrastructure demand and urbanisation are absorbing the extra tonnes with limited price impact.
US and EU
US imports continue to slide on market uncertainty, higher delivery costs and weak residential construction, with a near-term recovery unlikely while Gulf and Asian supply is constrained. In Europe, CBAM could add $12-20/t to imported cement and clinker, and more where emissions are unverified.
Register now, seating is limited and spots are selling fast.
About the Speaker
Alexander Makhlay is an associate editor at Argus Media, based in London, covering global petroleum coke and cement markets. Between 2015 and 2022, he worked across Argus’ steel and coal publications, helping to expand price coverage in multiple international markets. Prior to joining Argus, Alexander held roles in steel procurement and sales, as well as market analysis. He holds MA degrees in Journalism and Strategic Management and speaks English, Ukrainian and Russian.
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