The Mineral Products Association – the trade body representing Aggregate Industries et al. – has recorded an uptick in sales of construction materials in the final months of 2024, but notes:
Despite these encouraging signals, the MPA data also underscores the severity of the construction slowdown over the past two years and the major challenges facing the £22 billion mineral products industry. For example, annual mortar sales fell by 15% in 2024, dropping below 2 million tonnes - some 28% lower than their 2022 peak of 2.7 million tonnes.Similarly, ready-mixed concrete, ubiquitous to all types of construction projects, faced a 10.8% annual decline in 2024, reaching its lowest level in over 60 years. Primary aggregates sales declined by 2.6%, with sand and gravel particularly impacted due to weak demand from the struggling ready-mixed concrete market, where it is mostly used.
