Spanish consumption falls to 1987 levels

Spanish cement consumption fell to 1.1Mt in January 2012, representing a 23.5 per cent decline than the same month of last year, latest figures from Spanish cement association Oficimen show. Cement production was 1.4Mt, a 17.26 per cent decline over January 2011.

Looking at the past 12 months (February 2011 - January 2012), the decline in production was slightly over 17% to 21.7Mt, while consumption registered a decrease of 18.6% of 19.9Mt. Regarding trading, exports remained at 3.9Mt while imports fell by 39% and stand at around 1Mt.

The January figures bring Spain back to consumption levels last seen in 1987 due to the fall in the activity of residential building sector and the stoppage of public works. Oficemen notes that this situation will worsen if the various government programs do not promote infrastructure and housing to ensure a minimum of construction activity in Spain.