Total shipments of portland and blended cement in the United States and Puerto Rico were 9.6 million mt in March 2004, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This was a 23.5% increase compared with shipments for March 2003. Cumulative shipments through March 2004 totaled about 22.3 million mt, a 12% increase compared with those of the same period in 2003.

Clinker production totaled 7.0 million mt in March 2004, a 13.6% increase compared with 2003. Cumulative production through March 2003 totaled 19.6 million mt, an 8.2% increase compared to 2003 figures.

Masonry cement shipments of 470,000 mt in March 2004 were 28.3% more than shipments in March 2003. Cumulative shipments through March 2004 were about 1.1 million mt, a 21.3% increase compared with the same period in 2003.