El Salvador Cement Demand Surges 22% on Construction Boom

Wedoany.com Report-Dec.7, Cement consumption in El Salvador increased significantly in 2025, reflecting robust construction activity nationwide. Central Reserve Bank data show that 34.3 million 42.5 kg bags were used from January to August, a 22 percent rise compared with 28.1 million bags in the same period of 2024. August alone recorded demand of 3.9 million bags, up from 3.5 million the previous year.

Luis Rodríguez, director of the San Salvador Metropolitan Planning Office (OPAMSS), confirmed that producers are expanding manufacturing and logistics capabilities to meet growing requirements. Holcim El Salvador reported a 20 percent year-on-year sales volume increase. Executive Director Manuel Arrieta stated that the company achieved “the historical record of production in the country” during the second half of 2025. Operating two plants in Metapán, Holcim has already supplied over 1.2 million tonnes this year and anticipates further production growth in 2026.

The company has invested close to US$80 million over the past five years to upgrade facilities and introduce more sustainable technologies.

Imports have also grown substantially. Between January and October 2025, El Salvador received 614,000 tonnes of hydraulic cement, primarily from Guatemala, Vietnam, and Japan, valued at US$51.6 million. Rodríguez noted that total construction material volumes handled at Acajutla port rose by 60 percent.

The official figures do not capture informal retail sales, which remain considerable. Small-scale building projects have surged, with OPAMSS registering 689 minor developments in 2025 compared with only 31 in 2023.

Overall construction sector output expanded 29.8 percent in August, supported by more than 120 active housing projects across the country. The strong performance across residential, commercial, and infrastructure segments continues to drive sustained demand for building materials throughout El Salvador.