BRUSSELS, 31 OCTOBER 2026 — Türkiye and Algeria increased their relative shares of the European Union’s cement and clinker imports in the first six months of 2026, while shipments from Ukraine and Egypt accounted for smaller proportions of the market. The changing supplier distribution comes as the EU’s definitive Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regime begins to influence the commercial framework for carbon-intensive construction materials.
Statistics published by Cement Europe on 30 October, covering January–June 2026, show Türkiye accounting for 48.2% of EU cement and clinker import volumes, up from 44.4% in the same period of 2025. Algeria’s share rose from 11.2% to 14.8%.
The respective gains amounted to 3.8 percentage points for Türkiye and 3.6 percentage points for Algeria. In contrast, Ukraine’s share contracted from 14.2% to 9.9%, while Egypt’s declined from 10.2% to 6.0%.
These changes indicate a redistribution of import market shares among the EU’s external cement and clinker suppliers. However, the figures alone do not establish whether carbon-border costs were responsible for the shifts. Shipment availability, production levels and European demand are also relevant factors in assessing individual suppliers’ performance.
Mediterranean suppliers strengthen their competitive positions
Türkiye retained its position as the leading external supplier of cement and clinker to the EU, increasing its share to nearly half of total import volumes. Its geographical proximity to southern European markets, established production capacity and maritime export infrastructure support access to European customers.
For cement and clinker, which are relatively low-value and heavy commodities, transportation expenses and port access are significant components of delivered costs. Variations in freight rates, regional construction activity and the availability of exportable production can therefore influence suppliers’ relative competitiveness.
Algeria also expanded its presence, reaching 14.8% of EU import volumes. Its Mediterranean location provides access to southern European destinations, while export infrastructure and production costs remain relevant elements of its commercial position.
Both countries are operating in a market where production emissions and carbon-related expenses are becoming increasingly important. Nevertheless, the first-half statistics do not demonstrate that Türkiye’s or Algeria’s market-share gains resulted from CBAM. Changes in construction demand, international energy prices and supplier inventories also coincided with the reporting period.
Ukraine and Egypt account for smaller import shares
Ukraine’s share of EU cement and clinker imports fell to 9.9%, compared with 14.2% during the first half of 2025. Its industrial and export performance continues to be exposed to the effects of the war, including production interruptions, infrastructure damage, transportation constraints and changes in domestic demand.
These factors may affect the availability and movement of Ukrainian cement and clinker independently of the EU’s carbon-border requirements. The reported decline therefore cannot be attributed directly to CBAM without separating the influence of carbon costs from other production and logistics conditions.
Egypt experienced a reduction from 10.2% to 6.0%. Its export competitiveness is influenced by domestic production economics, fuel expenditure, international freight rates and demand in alternative export destinations. Changes in regional trading conditions can affect the allocation of Egyptian cargoes between European and non-European markets.
The country-level figures establish a change in the composition of EU imports but do not provide a complete explanation for the performance of individual suppliers.
Western Balkan trade figures show movements in both directions
The Cement Europe statistics also provide information on the position of Southeast European countries in the EU cement and clinker trade.
Bosnia and Herzegovina increased its share of EU imports from 2.8% to 3.3%, representing a gain of 0.5 percentage points. However, the published percentages do not establish whether the country’s absolute export volumes increased.
Separate figures covering EU cement and clinker exports to Western Balkan destinations show additional changes during January–June 2026.
Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 8.1% of EU export destinations, compared with 5.1% in the corresponding period of 2025. Montenegro’s share increased from 2.3% to 2.8%, while North Macedonia’s rose from 1.3% to 2.2%.
Serbia moved in the opposite direction, with its share declining from 3.2% to 2.9%.
These percentages refer to EU exports to the respective countries, not exports originating in those markets and entering the Union. Their movement may reflect differences in domestic construction activity, local cement production, distribution arrangements and the competitive position of regional suppliers.
The figures consequently provide a two-way view of the regional market, showing the importance of assessing both Western Balkan exports to the EU and European cement deliveries to Southeast European customers.
Definitive CBAM rules introduce emissions costs into cement imports
The EU’s definitive CBAM regime entered into force on 1 January 2026, covering specified cement and clinker products alongside other carbon-intensive goods. Its purpose is to align the carbon costs associated with covered imports with those borne by European producers under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
For cement manufacturers outside the Union, the relevant commercial considerations include installation-level production emissions, product classifications, emissions calculation methodologies and applicable carbon-cost adjustments.
The mechanism operates alongside the progressive reduction of free EU ETS allowances. Consequently, the financial exposure of importers cannot be calculated simply by multiplying all embedded emissions by the full CBAM certificate price without accounting for the applicable adjustments.
The latest published CBAM certificate price for the third quarter of 2026 stands at €82.32 per tonne of CO₂ equivalent.
Importers must also distinguish between the legally covered eight-digit Combined Nomenclature (CN) classifications and broader customs chapters used in general industry statistics. Cement Europe reports combined cement and clinker import shares, but the published country-level percentages do not provide sufficient product-level detail to calculate the CBAM liability of individual suppliers.
Verified emissions data become relevant to supplier comparisons
Producers able to demonstrate lower actual emissions through the applicable independently verified production data may obtain a different carbon-cost calculation from suppliers whose liabilities are determined using prescribed default values.
Conversely, installations with higher emissions intensity may face greater exposure as CBAM financial obligations develop. The resulting impact on delivered prices will depend on installation-specific emissions, the applicable methodology and the extent to which carbon-related expenses are reflected in contractual arrangements between suppliers and EU importers.
For European cement manufacturers, the changing composition of external supply provides additional context for assessing competition from Mediterranean producers. For exporters outside the Union, maintaining competitive delivered prices increasingly requires reliable production-emissions information alongside efficient manufacturing and transportation arrangements.
A more detailed comparison of supplier competitiveness requires absolute shipment volumes, customs values in euros, implied prices per tonne, freight expenditure, product classifications and verified installation-level emissions data. The first-half market-share figures establish the redistribution of EU cement and clinker imports, but do not independently quantify the contribution of CBAM to those changes.
