Turkey leads EU cement imports amid CBAM concerns in H1 2026

EU imports of cement and clinker totaled almost 5 million metric tons in the first half of 2026, with Turkey supplying nearly half of the total, as Cement Europe highlighted the importance of effective implementation of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

"Our latest trade data show why getting CBAM right in practice matters for a genuine level playing field," Cement Europe said in a social media post Nov. 2.

Turkey accounted for 48.2% of EU27 cement and clinker imports in January-June, making it by far the largest external supplier, according to the Cement Europe Trade report released Oct. 30, based on Eurostat data.

Algeria was the second-largest source, accounting for 14.8% of imports, followed by Ukraine at 9.9%, Tunisia at 7.9% and Egypt at 6%.

"Still asking why a watertight CBAM matters for competitiveness? Almost 5 million tonnes of cement and clinker entered the EU in the first half of 2026," Cement Europe said.

"As European producers face rising carbon costs, imports must face an equivalent carbon price too. If loopholes, circumvention or weak enforcement remain, the result is not decarbonisation. It is a shift in production and investment away from Europe," the association added.

North African suppliers accounted for a sizeable portion of EU inflows, with Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt together representing 28.7% of imports, based on the individual country shares reported by Cement Europe. Combined with Turkey, the four origins accounted for 76.9% of imports.

Bosnia-Herzegovina supplied 3.3% of EU imports, followed by China at 1.7%, Norway and Vietnam at 1.5% each, and the UK at 1.4%. Other origins accounted for 4%.

The EU also continued to export cement and clinker during the first half of 2026, with the UK accounting for 40% of EU27 exports, making it the bloc's largest external destination by a significant margin.

The US was the second-largest destination with 12.2%, followed by Bosnia-Herzegovina at 8.1% and Switzerland at 7%. Norway accounted for 4% and Ghana for 3.6%.

Serbia received 2.9% of EU exports, Montenegro 2.8%, Cabo Verde 2.4% and Macedonia 2.2%, while other destinations collectively accounted for 14.8%.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed CLX Turkey price at $47.75/mt FOB Oct. 29, unchanged week over week.