Spain Witnesses a Nine-Month Decline in Cement Consumption
Cement consumption in Spain has experienced a continuous decline over the past nine months, marking a concerning trend for the construction sector.
In February, Spain's cement consumption dropped by 1.5%, totaling 1,157,811 tons—a reduction of 17,769 tons compared to the same month last year. This decline represents the ninth consecutive month of decreased demand, according to the latest Cement Statistics.
Over the last twelve months (March 2023 to February 2024), consumption fell by 2.6%, with a total of 14,447,056 tons consumed in the country. Even though the cumulative annual consumption for just two months does not typically hold significant statistical importance, it mirrors the annual trend with a 2.4% decrease, equating to 53,852 tons less than the same period in 2023.
The construction sector is increasingly concerned with this sustained decline in cement demand. Recent data on public works tenders in January indicate a negative trend, with a 3.8% decrease in public administration investment following a flat closure in 2023. Aniceto Zaragoza, General Director of Oficemen, emphasized the need for greater collaboration and communication between public and private institutions to ensure competitive infrastructure through efficient public procurement processes.
Moreover, the cement industry's exports have decreased significantly, falling by 13.9% in February and marking eight months of continuous decline. This translates to 380,618 tons exported—61,572 tons less than the previous year. The yearly cumulative also shows a downturn, with a 17.2% reduction totaling 727,054 tons exported, and a 9.8% decrease in the last twelve months.
