Portland cement market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

The Portland cement market in Ireland expanded substantially in volume from 1 700 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 2 483 thousand tonnes in 2019, before moderating to 2 253 thousand tonnes in 2020. This initial surge was supported by rising demand from both residential and non-residential construction activity across the country. During this period, a growing preference for environmentally beneficial Portland composite cement types, such as CEM II, also began influencing product mix within the market.

Following 2020, import volumes peaked in 2021 and 2022 before declining, while export volumes continued a steady downward trend. By 2023, the market was underpinned by strong demand from key construction segments, including social housing and infrastructure projects. In 2024, the regulatory landscape shifted significantly with the introduction of a mandate requiring all state-funded building projects to use low-carbon cement from September, coupled with the upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) levies on carbon-intensive imports from October, directly affecting market access and manufacturer strategies.

Production portland cement in Ireland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Portland cement production in Ireland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 464.2 million US dollars, marking a slight increase of 2.4% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of growth, portland cement production in Ireland declined. In 2020, 3,943 thousand tonnes were produced, down by 4.6% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4,133 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports portland cement from Ireland

Exports in kind, K t

Ireland exported 1,766 thousand tonnes of portland cement in 2020, representing an increase of 2.6% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,722 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 2,143 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 19.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the export market structure was highly concentrated, with the United Kingdom alone accounting for 94.4% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ireland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported portland cement volumes from Ireland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 208.0 million US dollars, representing a modest uptick of 5.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 36%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom effectively monopolised exports in value terms of portland cement from Ireland, taking 96.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ireland in value, 2017-2020

Imports portland cement to Ireland

Imports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of portland cement to Ireland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 76 thousand tonnes, up by 5.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 16.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom remained the main source for portland cement imports to Ireland, taking 88.6% of total imports in volume terms, while the remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ireland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Ireland's volume of portland cement imports came to 9.9 million US dollars, up by 15.8% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 38%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 19.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom concentrated 87.6% of total imports in value terms, while the rest of the volume was shared by many countries with smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ireland in value, 2017-2020