Cyprus cement production drops 10.6% in 2010

Cement production in Cyprus fell by 10.6% in 2010 to 1.33 mln tonnes, having already dropped by 22.6% in 2009.
The decline reflected a very weak construction sector, with total construction output down by 5.2% in the first three quarters of the year and building construction down by 10.9%. 
Sales of cement on the local market fell by 7.6% to 1.34 mln tonnes in 2010, meaning that some sales were taken from stocks produced in the previous year.
Exports have now almost disappeared, thanks to cheaper competition. There were only three months in which exports were reported: May, June and July, with exports amounting to only 12,827 tonnes.
Clinker production fell by 18% in 2010, having dropped by 17.2% in 2009. There were no exports of clinker in 2010.

Fiona Mullen
www.sapientaeconomics.com