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
Production, up by almost 4% over the first seven months of 2011, is expected to grow by some 3% for the whole year.
Owing to several factors including the consequences of the presidential election in 2012, gravel production should record a 1% drop in 2012, according to the construction materials professional association.
As far as ready-mix concrete is concerned, growth in output is scheduled to be around 1% for 2012.
The effect of the economic crisis lasted shorter with a 18% drop in production in 2008 and 2009.
Despite adverse weather conditions, the sector achieved 0.8% growth in 2010 with 37.5million m³ produced.
Production rose 12% over the first eight months of 2011, and Unicem puts at 9% the growth pace for the entire year.
