Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico were 10.9 million mt in October 2004, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This was an 8.8% increase compared with shipments for October 2003. Cumulative shipments through October 2004 totaled about 99.5 million mt, a 5.9% increase compared with those of the same period in 2003. Clinker production totaled 7.8 million mt in October 2004, a 5.9% increase compared with 2003. Cumulative production through October 2004 totaled 72.7 million mt, an 6.0% increase compared to 2003 figures.Masonry cement shipments of 450,000 mt in October 2004, 7.2% less than shipments in October 2003. Cumulative shipments through October 2004 were about 4.4 million mt, an 8.8% increase compared with the same period in 2003.