BEIJING, June 6 (Xinhua) -- China's cement industry in April saw profits hit a record monthly high due to tight supply, industry data showed.

Profits in the cement industry totaled 14.7 billion yuan (about 2.3 billion U.S. dollars) in April, according to the China Cement Association.

In the first four months of the year, profits reached 33.7 billion yuan, up 220 percent year on year.

The profit surge came as the government reduced overcapacity in the sector and imposed production restrictions to fight air pollution, bringing cement supply down.

In the January-April period, nationwide cement output fell 1.9 percent year-on-year to 584 million tonnes, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

With stronger capacity controls, cement prices are likely to be kept at a high level even during the upcoming slack season, according to Zhongtai Securities.