MPA announces 3Q12 fall in UK mineral product sales

The UK’s Mineral Products Association has reported a decline in 3Q12 mineral product sales. Crushed rock and sand sales fell 4% y/y, whilst gravel aggregates sales volumes dropped by 11% y/y. Ready-mixed concrete and asphalt suffered a similar fate, declining by 9% y/y and 20% y/y, respectively. All of the products saw their sales volumes fall in January – September 2012, compared to 2011.

The figures follow the release of UK construction activity figures, which indicated that construction output in the first eight months of the year dropped by 8% y/y and new construction work fell by 12% y/y.

Nigel Jackson, Chief Executive MPA, stated, “The MPA figures are hugely disappointing and provide further evidence of the extent to which demand for mineral products and construction has fallen away. Of particular concern is the collapse in infrastructure work. […] It is vital that we move on from initiatives to urgent delivery if the gloomy prospects for the remainder of 2012 and 2013 are to be reversed. MPA members are currently focussed on surviving the lowest market levels since the 1960s. We are all looking and waiting for some certainty and confidence so that much needed public and private sector investment takes place.”

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/25102012/cement_mpa_construction_decline_uk_aggregates_403/