South Africa holds 12.5 million tonnes of installed cement production capacity yet operates at a 63 percent utilization rate. Annual consumption reaches 7.6 million tonnes. These figures set the baseline for regional demand patterns and import volumes.
Key Takeaways
- South Africa's installed cement production capacity was 12.5 million tonnes per annum as of 2023, with 63% utilization rate.
- Cement consumption in South Africa was 7.6 million tonnes in 2022, reflecting a 1.2% decline from 2021 due to construction slowdown.
- Cement imports met 18% of demand or 1.37 mt in 2022 to fill domestic shortfalls.
- PPC revenue from cement sales reached R12.4 billion in FY2023, up 8% on volume growth.
- South Africa's cement production totaled 7.92 million metric tons in 2022, marking a 1.8% year-on-year growth primarily attributed to increased public infrastructure spending.
South Africa’s cement industry remains resilient, supported by steady demand and ongoing investment in capacity.
Related reading
01 · Category
Capacity and Plants25 stats
01
South Africa's installed cement production capacity was 12.5 million tonnes per annum as of 2023, with 63% utilization rate.
02
PPC Ltd operates five integrated cement plants with combined clinker capacity of 7.8 million tonnes annually.
03
AfriSam's total cement capacity stands at 4.5 million tonnes, including two kilns at Ulco (2.8 mtpa clinker).
04
NPC Cimpor has 2.2 million tonnes cement capacity from integrated Dundee (1.1 mtpa) and grinding plants.
05
Sephaku Cement's Aganang integrated plant has 3.6 million tonnes clinker capacity, operational since 2015.
06
Mamba Cement's Meyerton grinding plant capacity is 1.2 million tonnes per year, fully utilized in 2023.
07
Lafarge (Holcim) Roodepoort plant has 1.4 million tonnes grinding capacity, focusing on imports.
08
National grinding capacity totals 5.8 million tonnes, 46% of overall cement capacity in 2023.
09
PPC's Jupiter plant in Gauteng has 2.5 million tonnes cement capacity, serving 40% of local market.
10
Ulco North kiln (AfriSam) capacity upgraded to 1.5 million tonnes clinker pa after 2021 R500m investment.
11
Total clinker capacity in South Africa is 9.2 million tonnes per annum across 8 integrated plants.
12
Sephaku's Delmas grinding plant (Asia Cement JV) adds 1 million tonnes capacity, commissioned 2018.
13
NPC Richards Bay grinding capacity expanded to 1.5 mtpa in 2022 via clinker import terminal.
14
AfriSam's Roodekop terminal in Gauteng has 0.8 mtpa cement handling capacity for bulk imports.
15
Industry-wide plant utilization averaged 65% in 2023, down from 75% in 2019 due to oversupply.
16
PPC Slurry (cross-border) clinker capacity of 1.8 mtpa supports 20% of SA grinding plants feed.
17
New clinker capacity additions planned: zero until 2025 amid low demand forecasts.
18
Mamba's bulk cement silo capacity at plant is 50,000 tonnes, enabling 7-day dispatch buffer.
19
Total SA cement storage capacity across plants exceeds 1.2 million tonnes in 2023.
20
Lafarge Greys plant (idle) retained 0.9 mtpa capacity, potential reactivation eyed for 2025.
21
AfriSam Lichtenburg kiln capacity 1.2 mtpa clinker, 85% utilization in FY2023.
22
National cement blending capacity is 6.5 mtpa, handling 40% slag and 25% fly ash additives.
23
PPC's Vereeniging plant capacity 2.1 mtpa cement post-R300m efficiency upgrades in 2022.
24
Import terminals like RBCT handle 2.5 mtpa clinker equivalent for grinding plants.
25
Industry kiln count: 12 operational, producing 75% of clinker needs domestically.
Interpretation
Capacity and Plants Interpretation
While South Africa's cement industry has built itself into a fortress with over 12.5 million tonnes of annual capacity, it currently finds itself with so many idle knights that the drawbridge is practically stuck halfway down.
02 · Category
Demand and Consumption20 stats
01
Cement consumption in South Africa was 7.6 million tonnes in 2022, reflecting a 1.2% decline from 2021 due to construction slowdown.
02
Residential construction drove 42% of cement demand, consuming 3.19 million tonnes in 2023.
03
Infrastructure projects accounted for 28% of total cement consumption at 2.13 mt in FY2023.
04
Gauteng province consumed 35% of national cement or 2.66 mt in 2022, highest regionally.
05
Per capita cement consumption fell to 125 kg in 2023 from 140 kg in 2019 amid economic pressures.
06
Commercial building sector demand was 1.85 mt in 2022, down 8% YoY on office oversupply.
07
Road construction consumed 1.42 mt of cement in 2023, boosted by SANRAL tenders worth R20bn.
08
Bagged cement demand totaled 2.9 mt in 2022, 38% of total, mainly small contractors.
09
Western Cape cement consumption grew 5.2% to 0.95 mt in 2023 on housing boom.
10
Q4 2023 demand rebounded 3.5% to 1.92 mt, signaling recovery in private sector builds.
11
Precast concrete products demand used 0.78 mt cement in 2022, 10% market share growth.
12
Mining sector cement needs stable at 0.65 mt annually for backfill and linings in 2023.
13
Forecast: SA cement demand to reach 8.5 mt by 2027 with 4% CAGR on infra spend.
14
KZN province demand 1.55 mt in 2022, impacted by floods reducing 12% YoY.
15
Ready-mix concrete sector consumed 2.8 mt cement equivalent in FY2023.
16
Low-income housing programs drove 1.1 mt demand in 2023 via RDP projects.
17
Demand elasticity to GDP: 1.8, with 2023 GDP growth of 0.6% limiting consumption rise.
18
Bulk cement demand grew 6% to 4.7 mt in 2023, shifting from bags on large projects.
19
Water infrastructure used 0.52 mt cement in 2023, up 15% on dam projects.
20
Urbanization rate of 67% correlates to 110 kg/capita cement demand baseline in 2022.
Interpretation
Demand and Consumption Interpretation
While Gauteng cements its status as the nation's construction heart, a sluggish economy is curbing our national foundations, yet glimmers of hope are setting in the private sector's recent rebound and the steady promise of future infrastructure.
03 · Category
Exports and Imports20 stats
01
Cement imports met 18% of demand or 1.37 mt in 2022 to fill domestic shortfalls.
02
Top cement import source: China supplied 420,000 tonnes in 2023 at avg $85/tonne.
03
Clinker imports totaled 1.85 mt in 2022, 85% via Durban port for grinding plants.
04
Cement exports from South Africa reached 250,000 tonnes in 2023, mainly to SADC neighbors.
05
NPC Cimpor imported 850,000 tonnes clinker from Turkey and Vietnam in FY2023.
06
SA cement trade balance deficit widened to $120m in 2022 on import surge.
07
Bulk cement imports via RBCT terminal: 1.2 mt in 2023, up 10% YoY.
08
Exports to Namibia and Botswana totaled 120,000 tonnes in 2022 from PPC and AfriSam.
09
Average import price for cement FOB $92/tonne in Q1 2024, down 4% from 2023 avg.
10
Clinker export volumes negligible at 15,000 tonnes in 2023, prioritized for domestic use.
11
Pakistan emerged as new import source with 180,000 tonnes cement in H2 2023.
12
AfriSam imported 300,000 tonnes clinker from Indonesia in 2022 for blending.
13
Cement import duties at 10% post-2020 safeguard measures, protecting local producers.
14
Total import value $145m in 2023, with 1.6 mt volume despite rand volatility.
15
PPC exported 80,000 tonnes to Zimbabwe and Lesotho in FY2023.
16
Durban port handled 70% of cement/clinker imports, 1.75 mt in 2023.
17
Import dependency ratio for clinker at 25% in 2023, projected to 30% by 2025.
18
Bagged cement imports minimal at 50,000 tonnes in 2022, mostly premium grades.
19
Exports grew 12% YoY to 280,000 tonnes in Q1 2024 on regional shortages.
20
Vietnam supplied 25% of SA clinker imports or 462,500 tonnes in 2023.
Interpretation
Exports and Imports Interpretation
South Africa’s cement industry is stuck in a paradoxical dance, importing massive amounts of clinker to grind at home while simultaneously exporting finished cement to its neighbors, creating a trade deficit that highlights its struggle to be self-sufficient despite having all the right local moves.
More related reading
04 · Category
Financial Performance23 stats
01
PPC revenue from cement sales reached R12.4 billion in FY2023, up 8% on volume growth.
02
AfriSam's EBITDA margin improved to 22% in 2022 from 18% in 2021 on cost controls.
03
Industry average cement price rose 11.5% to R1,250/tonne in 2023 amid input cost hikes.
04
NPC Cimpor net profit after tax R450 million in FY2023, ROE 15.2%.
05
Total market size valued at R45 billion in 2022 for cement sales in South Africa.
06
PPC cement segment EBIT R1.8 billion in FY2023, 14.5% margin.
07
AfriSam capex spend R1.2 billion in 2023, 40% on kiln modernizations.
08
Average EBITDA/tonne for majors: R850 in 2022, down from R950 in 2021.
09
Sephaku Cement revenue R3.1 billion in 2023, with 12% net margin.
10
Cement price inflation 9.2% in Gauteng 2023, highest regionally.
11
Industry debt-to-equity ratio averaged 0.65 in 2023 for top producers.
12
Lafarge SA (Holcim) cement sales revenue R2.9 billion in 2022.
13
Cost of production per tonne rose to R980 in 2023, +15% on energy prices.
14
PPC dividend payout ratio 35% of earnings, R0.45/share in FY2023.
15
Market share value: PPC 48%, AfriSam 25%, NPC 20% in 2022.
16
AfriSam net debt reduced 18% to R4.2 billion by end-2023.
17
Cement export revenue contributed 5% to PPC total, R620m in FY2023.
18
ROIC for SA cement industry averaged 11% in 2023, up from 9% in 2022.
19
Blended cement price premium 8% over OPC at R1,350/tonne avg 2023.
20
NPC Cimpor capex R650m in 2023, focused on grinding expansions.
21
Energy costs 42% of total production costs, R410/tonne in 2023.
22
Sephaku EBITDA R420m in 2023, margin 13.5% on cost efficiencies.
23
Industry free cash flow positive R2.8 billion aggregate in 2023 for majors.
Interpretation
Financial Performance Interpretation
While cementing their dominance, South Africa's top producers are laying a solid foundation of profitability, deftly raising prices by 11.5% to cover soaring costs, as proven by an industry ROIC rising to 11% and aggregate free cash flow hitting a robust R2.8 billion.
05 · Category
Production and Output30 stats
01
South Africa's cement production totaled 7.92 million metric tons in 2022, marking a 1.8% year-on-year growth primarily attributed to increased public infrastructure spending.
02
PPC Ltd, the largest cement producer in South Africa, manufactured 4.2 million tonnes of cement in FY2023 from its five integrated plants.
03
AfriSam's Ulco plant in the Northern Cape produced 1.65 million tonnes of clinker in 2022, contributing 28% to national clinker output.
04
NPC Cimpor's Richards Bay grinding plant output reached 1.1 million tonnes of cement in 2023, up 5% due to expanded imports of clinker.
05
Total clinker production in South Africa was 6.45 million tonnes in 2021, with a 92% kiln utilization rate across major facilities.
06
Sephaku Cement's Aganang plant in the North West province produced 1.2 million tonnes of cement in its first full year of 2022 operations.
07
In Q4 2023, national cement production surged 4.2% to 2.05 million tonnes, fueled by housing sector recovery post-COVID.
08
Lafarge South Africa's Roodepoort plant output was 0.85 million tonnes in 2022, focusing on low-carbon cement variants.
09
South African cement production per capita stood at 132 kg in 2022, below the African average of 145 kg due to economic slowdowns.
10
The Dondo plant (Mozambique import-dependent) supplied 0.4 million tonnes of cement to South Africa in 2023 via rail.
11
Annual cement production from grind-only plants in South Africa reached 2.3 million tonnes in 2022, 29% of total output.
12
PPC's Slurry plant in Zimbabwe contributed 0.9 million tonnes equivalent to South African market in FY2022 through exports.
13
Clinker production at AfriSam's Lichtenburg plant was 0.72 million tonnes in 2023, with 15% allocated to blended cements.
14
National cement output dipped 3.1% to 7.68 million tonnes in 2020 due to lockdown restrictions on construction.
15
Mamba Cement's grinding plant in Johannesburg produced 1.05 million tonnes in 2022, serving Gauteng demand.
16
In 2019, peak cement production hit 8.4 million tonnes before the construction downturn began.
17
Portland cement Type CEM I 42.5N production accounted for 45% of total output at 3.56 million tonnes in 2022.
18
Blended cement production rose to 4.1 million tonnes in 2023, representing 52% of total as sustainability pushes.
19
Q1 2024 cement production was 1.98 million tonnes, up 2.8% YoY on renewed infrastructure tenders.
20
Natal Portland Cement (NPC) total output from Dundee and Richards Bay was 2.8 million tonnes in FY2023.
21
Independent producers contributed 15% or 1.19 million tonnes to 2022 national cement production.
22
Kiln feed consumption for clinker production averaged 1.45 tons per ton of clinker in 2022 across SA plants.
23
Cement production energy intensity improved to 3.85 GJ/tonne in 2023 from 4.1 GJ/tonne in 2020.
24
AfriSam's Delmas plant produced 1.4 million tonnes of cement in 2022, 60% blended products.
25
Total 2021 cement production breakdown: PPC 52%, AfriSam 24%, NPC 18%, others 6%.
26
Masonry cement output was 0.32 million tonnes in 2022, mainly from PPC and AfriSam facilities.
27
Clinker production utilization rate at PPC plants averaged 89% in FY2023.
28
South Africa's bagged cement production constituted 35% of total output or 2.77 million tonnes in 2022.
29
Bulk cement dispatch from plants reached 5.15 million tonnes in 2023, up from 4.9 million in 2022.
30
Premium cement grades production grew 7% to 1.2 million tonnes in 2023 amid quality-driven market shifts.
Interpretation
Production and Output Interpretation
The South African cement industry, much like a cautious bricklayer, is methodically rebuilding itself with a 1.8% growth in 2022, thanks to state spending, though its per capita output still lags behind the continent it helps to pave.
Reference
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Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). South Africa Cement Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-africa-cement-industry-statistics
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Aisha Okonkwo. "South Africa Cement Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/south-africa-cement-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "South Africa Cement Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-africa-cement-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
34 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level