Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico were about 7.38 million mt in March 2008, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This was 20.2 percent lower compared with shipments for March 2007. Year-to-date shipments were 19.9 million mt, down 13.4 percent from the same period in 2007.

Clinker production totaled 6.8 million mt in March 2008, about 1.4 percent higher compared with 2007. Year-to-date production was 18.5 million mt, down 4.3 percent compared to the same period in 2007.

Masonry cement shipments were about 265,000 mt in March 2008 were 33.0 percent lower compared with shipments in March 2007. Year-to-date shipments totaled 735,000 mt, down about 29.0 percent.