Companies in the field say that the weather is the main cause for slower growth in sales rather than higher cement prices, up 15 percent. “Sales advanced by some 15 percent, lower than in the same period last year,” according to Holcim Romania’s General Manager, Markus Wirth. He said that the demand for cement is still high on the market, in spite of the 6-8 percent increase in prices of Holcim products.

The CFO of Lafarge Ciment, Philippe Platon, said this year’s sales were similar to those last year. “We do not have any official statistics yet, but appear to have zero growth compared to the 2007 rate. Demand is still high, although prices have risen,” Platon added.

Carpatcement Holding’s growth rate was also similar to that last year and prices have not affected demand, according to the company’s General Manager, Mihai Rohan.

The local cement market amounted to €10.2 million tons in 2007, 30 percent higher year-on-year, and is expected to reach 12 million tons this year.