Spain's cement demand up 9% in November

Spain’s cement consumption index (IDC) noted a 9.2 per cent YoY increase in November 2018, according to the Spanish cement association, Oficemen. MoM a 2.4 per cent decrease was reported.

Between December 2017 and 2018, 13.4Mt of cement was sold – 1.1Mt more than in the equivalent period of the previous year. While consumption levels remain low – similar to the level noted in 1967 – they continue to rise.

“We look with optimism at the investment growth contemplated by the Ministry of Development in the 2019 budgets, but, unfortunately, the uncertainty remains as the final execution figures have not been matched to the budget in recent years,” said Oficemen President, Jesus Ortiz.

Meanwhile, cement and clinker exports fell by more than 10 per cent, continuing the downward trend that started 18 months ago. Oficemen attributes this to rising power prices, which are eroding the competitiveness of Spanish cement exports.