Russian cement producers faced a challenging market environment in 2015-16 as a new recession impacted the construction industry. However, the first signs of recovery are appearing and the cement market is expected to stabilise in 2017, with further recovery forecast from 2018 as growth in the domestic economy and construction sector takes hold. By Alexej Semenov, GS-Expert LLC, Russia.
Russia’s economic development began its steady decline in 2012 and the country was plunged into another economic crisis in 2015. While in 2016 the rate of decline slowed, a fall in all macroeconomic indicators continued. Therefore, the Russian federal government expects the economy to begin its recovery in 2017. As is often the case, official statistics tend to favour an optimistic view.
