Cement consumption in Spain is 45 million t lower than in 2007

Spanish cement association Oficemen expects domestic cement consumption to decrease by 20% in 2013 to 11 million t, resulting in six consecutive years of double-digit declines. In November alone, cement production increased by 4.9% y/y to 1.1 million t, but domestic consumption dropped 9.3% y/y to 904 483 t. In January – November 2013, both production and consumption levels declined, falling by 16% y/y and 20.3% y/y, respectively. Consumption of cement in Spain now stands at 45 million t less than in 2007. Oficemen predicts that consumption will continue to remain low in 2014, with a drop of 7 – 8%. It estimates that demand will be around 10 million t, with per capita consumption at 220 kg, a figure not seen in the industry since 1962.

Isidoro Miranda, Oficemen President, does not expect Spain’s cement sector to find its way out of the crisis until 2015 and this remains dependent upon a number of factors, such as employment, consumption and housing.

At present, Spain is the principle cement exporter in the EU, representing 18% of exports compared to Germany’s 14.4%. However, the industry has expressed concerns about the rising cost of electricity, which has negatively impacted production by 3.5% y/y in the last three months.

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/18122013/oficemen_predicts_continued_decline_in_domestic_cement_consumption_529/