Growth in UK mineral product sales in 2013 but markets still 30% below pre-recession levels

The UK Mineral Products Association (MPA) results for 2013 indicate a good improvement in sales volumes of aggregates, asphalt and ready-mixed concrete in the final quarter and for the year as a whole. For 2013 sales volumes of aggregates increased by 6% with concrete sales up by 11% and asphalt 4% higher than in 2012. Following a poor first quarter industry volumes started picking up in April and fourth quarter sales remained positive. The figures reflect the sharp improvement in housing starts follo

February 19, 2014 Read time: 2 mins

The UK 2897 Mineral Products Association (MPA) results for 2013 indicate a good improvement in sales volumes of aggregates, asphalt and ready-mixed concrete in the final quarter and for the year as a whole.

For 2013 sales volumes of aggregates increased by 6% with concrete sales up by 11% and asphalt 4% higher than in 2012. Following a poor first quarter industry volumes started picking up in April and fourth quarter sales remained positive.

The figures reflect the sharp improvement in housing starts following the first quarter, with housing related material sales 25% higher in the final nine months of 2013 than the same period of 2012. The MPA figures indicate that we are beginning to see some improvement in construction markets other than housing and that such signs of improvement are evident throughout GB although unevenly.

However, as with the housing and construction statistics, the MPA results need to be considered in context. Compared with pre-recession activity levels the aggregates, asphalt and concrete markets remain some 30% down.

MPA Director Public &Economic Affairs Jerry McLaughlin, said: “The improving trends over the past nine months are very welcome but of course come from a very low base. 2012 was very negative for our industry and construction and the 2013 volumes broadly get us back to 2011. We need to see significantly more growth in business throughout GB before we can talk about recovery with greater confidence. As such it is vital that Government continues to focus on sustained economic growth, delivery of outstanding infrastructure projects, more housing and measures designed to encourage confidence to invest.”

Mineral Products Association
QUARTERLY CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL TRENDS

The figures give sales trends by volume of material sold for a consistent sample of Mineral Products Association members comprising the following proportions of total GB markets.

Crushed Rock aggregates, (approx 80%); Sand & Gravel aggregates (approx 80%); Asphalt (approx 80%), Ready-mixed concrete (approx 60%); Cement (approx 85%)

RESULTS

% change over same period of previous year

	2012 QTR 2	2012 QTR 3	2012 QTR 4	2012 YEAR	2013 QTR 1	2013 QTR 2	2013 QTR 3	2013 QTR 4	2013 YEAR
Crushed Rock	-10	-4	+1	-7	-1	+17	+9	+8	+7
Sand & Gravel	-15	-11	-11	-12	-8	+9	+9	+7	+5
Asphalt	-16	-20	-16	-18	-18	+9	+11	+14	+4
Ready mixed Concrete	-11	-9	-4	-9	-4	+18	+10	+10	+11
Cement*	-10	-8	-7	-7	-7	+10	+13	na*	na*

*Cement refers to domestic cement sales: data for Q4 2013 will not be available until April 2014

Quarry Products

UK aggregates industry’s dawning optimism and confidence

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