The Cement and Concrete Institute (C&CI) on Thursday reported that total cement sales in Southern Africa had dropped by 10,7% last month, as the economies in the region slowed.

Year-to-date sales for the region was down by 12,5% compared with the corresponding period in 2008, the C&CI said in a statement on its website.

In South Africa, cement sales fell by 11,1% during September, compared with the same month last year. Year-to-date sales were down by 13,7%.

In Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland, sales fell by 6,4% last month. Year-to-date sales in September were 1,7% higher than the previous period, C&CI reported.