Spanish demand for cement down again

According to 6759 Oficeman, the Spanish association of cement producers, during the first nine months of 2012 demand for cement in Spain decreased by 34.6% compared to the same period the previous year to 10.6 million tonnes in what is now considered to be the worst crisis of the sector in its history.

Demand in September decreased by 38% and accounted for the annual outputs of just one of the 35 plants operating in Spain.

Under these circumstances producers adjusted outputs by -28.1% to 12.61 million tonnes during the first nine months of the year, and expect a drop in demand of 20% in 2013.

Sales in the whole of 2012 are expected to amount to 14 million tonnes approximately with exports accounting for 6 million tonnes.