Sunday, 13 August 2023

Sand & gravel sales in decline again

Sales of sand and gravel in Britain have fallen 7.3% over the last 12 months, according to the MPA

The trade body representing Aggregate Industries et al. report that various factors have contributed to the decline in demand:
Construction materials cost inflation may have slowed from a peak in mid-2022, but the cumulative effect of high costs and higher interest rates over the past 18 months continues to weigh heavily on the financial viability of projects and on housing affordability. Additionally, labour constraints throughout the construction supply chain have contributed to the overall challenges faced by the sector.

Meanwhile, the CPA reports that the construction sector is entering an "acute" recession: 
The construction industry is expected to experience an acute recession this year driven by double-digit falls in the two largest construction sectors: private housing new build and private housing repair, maintenance, and improvement. The CPA forecasts construction output to fall by 7.0% in 2023...