Last year was a good year for the South African cement industry, with sales up by nearly 7% compared to 2002. Figures released by the Cement and Concrete Institute (CCI) show that the last quarter of 2003 saw a 9% increase in cement sales compared to the same period in 2002. 

All provinces except two, North West Province and Northern Cape, had positive growth. 

Significant increases were recorded in the Eastern Cape (up 44%), fuelled by demand from the Coega project, and KwaZulu Natal (up 13%).