Santo Domingo.-  For the first time during the construction sector’s recovery  process that began earlier in the year, after the economic crisis of 2008 and most of 2009, cement consumption begins to decline nationwide, said the country’s cement makers grouped in Adocem.

The cement makers’ figures show a fall in demand of around 12.9% in May, June and July, compared with the first months this year, “showing a possible cooling of the construction sector mainly from government spending on infrastructure works around the country, which have been the main promoter of the improvement undergone in the industry.”

In a statement Adocem said from May to July the daily average consumption was 10,500 tons, far from the 12,000 ton daily demand from January to April.

“The fact that cement demand grew above the expected in the economic cycle is explained by the recent electoral period during which increased public spending in infrastructure works is common, but tend to fall and return to the usual rate of spending after the process.

Adocem said the demand for public works (roads or other infrastructure) represent as much as 13% of its consumers market and the rest is spread among private and housing construction, where it expects positive figures for the rest of the year.

“The cement industry is partially compensating these months of fewer construction activity in the country with an increase in exports. In that manner, during this first half the sector has sold in third countries, essentially in the Caribbean area, around 600,000 metric tons of Portland cement,” the cement makers said.

They add that cement consumption is considered among the most representative indicators of the construction activity, “where the statistics for this period are an example of the decelerated growth which the industry has undergone in the last few years.”