Regional Cement Shortages Reported

Domestic cement production is not keeping up with demand, and not enough cement is being imported, a function of not enough ships to deliver the product.

Cement shortages have become a national topic, judging by reports from USA Today and The Wall Street Journal on cement shortages.

The Portland Cement Association (PCA), and its chief economist, Ed Sullivan, staff vice president, notes the shortage is a regional problem, not a national one. In areas where there have been strong residential construction, the supply is down. The PCA contends the supply lags because not enough cement is being imported, a function of not enough ships available to deliver the product.

Shortages are limited to the southeast, southwest, and New York/New England regions, according to a recent PCA survey. Twenty seven states report ample supplies; twenty-three states report shortfalls.

Domestic cement production is 85 million tons of cement per year, but cement usage has averaged more than 106 million tons during the past three years.