Sales of crushed rock rose by 13.5% in 2014, sand & gravel by 7.2%, and asphalt by 8.6%.
Ready-mixed concrete sales rose by only 1.7% but this was from a higher base following an early and marked recovery of the concrete market throughout 2013.
Asphalt and crushed rock sales were particularly strong in the second half of the year as road construction and maintenance picked up. The increase in sand and gravel sales reflected general construction growth, particularly in new housing.
The data comes from the Mineral Products Association, whose member firms represent 100% of cement production in Great Britain, 90% of aggregates production, 95% of asphalt and ready-mixed concrete production and 70% of precast concrete production.
MPA’s seasonally adjusted figures indicate that sales volumes remained generally positive throughout the year. Seasonally adjusted fourth quarter sales were either positive (aggregates and asphalt) or flat (ready-mixed concrete), suggesting that construction markets remained more positive than official data suggest. The end of year performance was also supported by particularly favourable weather conditions, MPA said.
Although markets have improved throughout Great Britain, regional performance remains patchy. Sales of ready mixed concrete in 2014 remained 30% below the pre-recession level of 2007, but in London the market was 25% higher.
MPA chief executive Nigel Jackson said: “Construction and mineral products markets remain positive and should continue to improve in 2015, although there are potential downside risks and uncertainties related to political and economic uncertainties in the UK and Eurozone and wider geo-political issues. For the recovery to be sustained it is essential that politicians maintain focus on policies to promote sustained economic growth throughout the UK, by reducing uncertainty wherever possible to build the confidence needed to encourage continuing investment. The recovery continues to need to be nurtured and not taken for granted.”
Mineral Products Association sales volumes in GB:
|
Asphalt |
Ready-mixed concrete |
Crushed rock |
Sand & Gravel |
|
|
Quarter on quarter, seasonally adjusted |
||||
|
2014 Q1 |
-2.6% |
-5.1% |
3.8% |
-2.1% |
|
2014 Q2 |
3.4% |
2.4% |
2.8% |
-4.4% |
|
2014 Q3 |
3.0% |
3.5% |
2.7% |
7.9% |
|
2014 Q4 |
5.3% |
0.1% |
3.1% |
1.4% |
|
Year on year |
||||
|
2013 |
3.9% |
11.5% |
7.5% |
7.8% |
|
2014 |
8.6% |
1.7% |
13.5% |
7.2% |
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