Aggregates and cement market decline highlights severity of the construction recession

摘要

Aggregates, cement, ready-mixed concrete and asphalt sales volumes continued to decline sharply in the first quarter of 2009, according to figures from the Mineral Products Association. In comparison with the first quarter of 2008 cement fell by 31 %, crushed rock aggregates by 32%, sand and gravel aggregates by 27%, ready-mixed concrete sales by 33% and asphalt sales by 19%. The first quarter volumes were also lower than the fourth quarter of 2008, cement by 14%, crushed rock by 7%, sand and gravel by 10%, ready-mixed concrete by 20% and asphalt by 14%. The figures indicate that construction activity is falling away rapidly and taking into account the sharp fall in orders for new construction work placed in recent months the construction and aggregates sector trends will experience substantial falls throughout 2009.