NEW figures from the Mineral Products Association (MPA) have revealed that concrete volumes hit a 62-year low in the second quarter of 2025.
The data, which is based on actual sales volumes across Britain, also shows asphalt volumes over the last four quarters are the lowest in a decade. Aggregates and mortar sales also fell in Q2, 2025.
Ready-mixed concrete volumes dropped by 11.5% to 2.7 million cubic metres during the quarter. Over the last four quarters, total sales were 11.9 million cubic metres. The last time Britain’s annual concrete volume was this low was 1963.
The MPA added that volumes across all major mineral products other than mortar are now at ‘historically low levels’. The organisation is calling for urgent government action to reignite business confidence to encourage investment and release stalled construction projects.
MPA director of economic affairs Aurelie Delannoy said, “This quarter’s data offers a stark reminder that market conditions remain incredibly challenging for the mineral products sector. A fourth consecutive year of declining sales is now a serious risk, including to jobs.
“What we are seeing is not just the challenge of a specific industry market; it is a broader signal of a UK construction sector and national economy stuck in first gear, hampered by weak confidence, patchy project delivery and a chronic lack of tangible demand. Despite the government’s positive long-term announcements, businesses are still waiting for any concrete signs that the UK is ready to invest and to build again.”
The MPA is urging immediate action to support near-term delivery and restore confidence. Priority measures shared with government include ruling out further tax rises on business to dampen fears; a stronger focus on infrastructure delivery; and reintroducing the deduction to support investment.
MPA executive chair Chris Leese added, “Many of our members are telling us that the current trading conditions are the most difficult they have ever experienced, including the 2007–08 financial crisis, while in concrete the data shows it’s the worst in a lifetime with no signs of recovery. The underlying problem is a total lack of business confidence leading to a lack of investment required to kickstart activity.
“The mineral products industry literally provides the foundations for the whole economy, employing 80,000 hard-working people in high-value, high-productivity jobs across the country, but in the current climate our members will have no option other than to mothball capacity and rationalise their businesses.
“Construction is a vital force for growth in the UK economy and these sales figures are a clear indicator that action is required. We need action now to unlock stalled projects, back the businesses that will build them, and break out of this cycle of weak growth and high costs. Our members are not only ready to deliver; they are also increasingly impatient for the right conditions that would create the opportunity to do so.”
