Brazilian cement sales rise 4.1% in November, boosted by housing program

Brazilian cement sales in November rose 4.1% year over year to 5.5 million metric tons, according to data from the National Union of the Cement Industry, or SNIC.

In the first 11 months of the year, Brazil's cement sales reached 62.2 million mt, up 3.6% year over year.

The daily dispatch of cement also stood out, averaging 263,9000 mt, indicating a recovery in the sector. However, the macroeconomic landscape remains challenging, with the complexities of the credit and consumption environment affecting consumer and industry confidence, according to SNIC.

The union pointed out that with the unemployment rate hitting a historic low of 5.4% in October, projected inflation for the coming years and rising household debt, generate uncertainties.

On the other hand, the Minha Casa, Minha Vida housing program continues to be a crucial demand driver for cement, it said. New housing credit regulations are aimed at strengthening the purchasing power of the middle class and reducing the housing deficit.

"The cement industry reaches the end of 2025 closely observing the dynamics between the heating up of the labor market and the constraints of credit," SNIC president Paulo Camillo Penna said in a statement on SNIC's website. "While the real estate market financed by savings struggles with high interest rates, social housing confirms its strategic role. The progress of the Minha Casa, Minha Vida projects and continuous investments in infrastructure, particularly the strong expansion of concrete road and urban pavements, along with our renewed commitment to the climate agenda, will be crucial in sustaining demand in the coming year."