French output down in 2009

Aggregate production in France fell to 335.8million tonnes in 2010, down from almost 348million tonnes in the previous year, according to the national aggregates association Unicem. The organisation has also reported that production in December last year fell to 15.77million tonnes compared to the 19.22million tonnes recorded in December 2009.

After a 20% drop over the 2008-2010 period as a result to the economic crisis, gravel production in France fell by only 3.5% in 2010 (363million tonnes), though still affected by adverse weather conditions at the end of the year, according to Unicem.

Thanks to public works and possible restocking, the construction material market was stronger than expected in 2013, according to Unicem, the French union for quarry and construction materials industries.

Overall, sales of materials in volume fell 0.2% from 493.5 million tonnes in 2012. Aggregates grew 1.8% from 360 million tonnes in 2012 while ready-to-pour concrete fell 1.8% from 39.4 million m³. Cement dropped 3.1% from 20 million tonnes; bricks dropped 7.8% from 2.2 million tonnes and tiles fell 2.9%

Gravel output in France went up 3% over the January-September 2011 period, according to the Unicem professional body. However, the pace is slowing down dramatically as the year is drawing to a close. Output dropped by 0.8% in the second quarter and by 0.7% in the third quarter, following the 12.8% increase reported in the first three months of the year.