Spain’s construction materials sector gains momentum as cement demand and exports rise
Spanish construction-material exports rose 3.5% year on year to €11.8117 billion between January and May 2026, while first-half cement consumption increased 7.5%. Employment and production indicators also improved, although energy costs and weaker new-home sales remain constraints.
Exports return to growth
Spain’s construction materials industry showed broader signs of recovery in the first half of 2026, supported by higher exports, employment and domestic demand. According to Caloryfrio, citing the July economic report from the Spanish Confederation of Construction Product Manufacturers’ Associations, or CEPCO, exports of construction materials and products increased 3.5% year on year during the first five months, reversing the weakness recorded through much of 2025.
Export sales reached €11.8117 billion between January and May. Imports rose 4%, leaving the sector with a trade surplus of €1.44 billion, almost unchanged from a year earlier. Adjusted for prices, however, exports grew only 0.6% by volume, while imports increased 1.1%, indicating that the recovery in physical trade remained moderate.
Performance differed substantially by product. Ceramic tiles generated €1.4067 billion in exports and a €1.357 billion trade surplus. Metal structures recorded exports of €969 million and a surplus of €566 million, while stone products contributed €253.6 million in sales and a €212 million surplus. Other concrete, plaster and cement products recorded a positive balance approaching €197 million. By contrast, chemicals posted a €1.128 billion deficit, and pipes, taps, valves and related equipment had a €468.6 million shortfall.
Cement consumption and industrial output strengthen
Domestic cement consumption reached 8.25 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, an increase of 7.5%, or 576,796 tonnes, from the same period of 2025. June demand alone amounted to 1.37 million tonnes, up 5.5%. Despite that growth, cement association Oficemen lowered its full-year forecast to 2%, with consumption expected to approach 17 million tonnes. The industry says this volume remains insufficient to meet Spain’s housing, renovation and infrastructure needs.
Ready-mixed concrete production also expanded in the first quarter despite heavy rainfall that slowed construction work. The segment has now recorded thirteen consecutive quarters of growth. Consumption of precast concrete increased 8% during 2025, with the largest regional gains in the Valencian Community, Cantabria and Navarre, reinforcing the adoption of industrialised construction methods.
Demand for aggregates used in construction reached 177.6 million tonnes in 2025, up 8.1%. The total included 7 million tonnes of recycled aggregates and 2.5 million tonnes of artificial material. Including by-products from other extractive industries, 6.7% of consumption came from sources other than natural-material quarries. Production of fired-clay bricks and tiles increased 4.6% to 5.7 million tonnes, while industry revenue rose 5% to €755 million.
Employment improves, but costs remain a risk
The active workforce in construction-material manufacturing exceeded 432,000 people in the second quarter of 2026, 3.4% more than in the previous quarter. Employment reached 409,279, with 23,147 people unemployed. The resulting unemployment rate was 5.7%, compared with 9.9% across the Spanish economy. The sector accounted for 1.8% of national employment and 13.2% of Spanish industrial jobs.
Industrial data supported the more positive picture. Spain’s seasonally and calendar-adjusted Industrial Production Index increased 3.4% year on year in May. Chemicals output rose 14.4%, electrical equipment manufacturing 9.9%, and both extractive industries and metal products 6.3%. Mineral wool demand also performed well during 2025, supported by energy renovation and measures to reduce heating and cooling requirements.
Energy expenses and housing trends could still limit the recovery. Industrial producer prices were 7% higher year on year in June, with close to half of the overall increase attributed to energy. This particularly affects cement, ceramics, glass, insulation and metal producers. Meanwhile, new-home transactions fell 4.7% year on year in May, although the preceding twelve-month total remained 1.6% higher. Execution of planned investment, energy prices and housing demand will determine whether the improvement continues through the second half.
