Increased calls by Russia to restrict cement imports, particularly from Belarus, Iran, and Kazakhstan.
The Russian cement industry is facing a challenging period, with a significant increase in cement imports primarily from countries like Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, and Vietnam. This surge in imports comes at a time when domestic consumption and production are on a downward trend.
In response, the largest cement producer in Russia, Cemros, has proposed capping Belarusian cement imports at 1.5 million tonnes per year and implementing five-year anti-dumping duties to protect local producers. The Union Cement industry association, supporting Cemros' proposal, is also considering additional protective measures beyond the proposed anti-dumping measures.
In the first half of 2025, Russian cement consumption fell by about 8.6% year-on-year to 28.4 million tonnes, while domestic production dropped 9.9% to 27.2 million tonnes. Imports for the same period increased by roughly 5.8% to 1.9 million tonnes.
The volume of cement imports is estimated to be enough to meet the cement needs of six to seven Russian regions or to shut down operations at two to three cement plants. This situation has led producers like Cemros to reduce working hours and halt production at some facilities, such as their Belgorod plant. Cemros will switch to a four-day workweek starting October 1, 2025, due to falling demand and rising imports.
Belarus alone accounts for 69% of cement imports into Russia, with Iran and Kazakhstan contributing 20% and 9%, respectively. The Union Cement industry association warns that imports could rise to 5 million tonnes per year from 3.74 million tonnes in 2024, exacerbating domestic market difficulties.
Russian producers argue that restricting imports to pre-preferential mortgage levels (a cap of 1.5 million tonnes per year) would provide space for about 2 million tonnes of additional domestic production. Without import restrictions, the Russian cement market could shrink by 10–15% in 2025 compared to 2024, a serious contraction attributed mainly to import competition and a stagnating building sector.
In summary, the rise in cement imports has intensified challenges for Russian producers, prompting calls for regulatory measures like import caps and anti-dumping duties led by Cemros and the Union Cement industry association to stabilize the domestic industry.
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