Spain: demand up 5.3% in 2015

Cement consumption in Spain has increased by 5.3 per cent to 11,408,287t in 2015, according to Oficemen, the country's cement association. Variability in the second half of the year depressed annual growth.

Exports have also fallen in 2015 and were 4.4 per cent lower YoY at 9,233,979t. "During these years of hard crisis, exports have been the only lifeline to compensate for the loss of domestic demand. However, it is increasingly difficult for our industry to compete in foreign markets, mainly due to high electricity costs suffered by the Spanish industry compared to other European countries," said the president of Oficemen, Jaime Ruiz de Haro.

Oficemen expects growth to be a moderate seven per cent subject to political stability. "The investment in civil works accounts for about 60 per cent of cement consumption. Although, as already approved budgets will not experience changes, a reduction can be expected. Do not forget also that bidding in civil engineering has fallen 25 per cent in 2015, so we find ourselves faced with a clear slowdown, " said Aniceto Zaragoza,  CEO of Oficemen.