Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico were about 6.9 million mt in August 2009, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This was about 23 percent lower compared with shipments for July 2008. Year-to-date 2009 shipments were 47.7 million mt, down about 28 percent from the same period in 2008.

Clinker production totaled 6.0 million mt in August 2009, about 15 percent lower compared with 2008. Year-to-date production was 39.2 million mt, down almost 27 percent compared to the same period in 2009.