Cement producers complain of dumping
The situation of cement producers is continually getting worse. By the end of this year producers will have sold nearly 2.2m tons less than predicted at around 12m tons. Last year 14.2m tons were sold.
After the first seven months of this year sales are down 17 percent. Reasons given include the recession in the building industry and cheap imports from Belarussia and Ukraine.
Last year between 60,000 and 70,000 tons of cement was imported. This year imports have increased dramatically, in July alone they accounted for 21,000 tons.
Imported cement is used mainly in eastern Poland which largely effects the markets of the Chełm, Ożarów, Małogoszcz and Nowiny works.
Domestic cement producers are now considering an anti dumping petition after the elections.
The market is considered unlikely to improve in the next two years. Some producers are even selling cement below cost and are holding back on investments. For companies like Lafarge which has stated that it would place more than PLN1bn to 2003 it means that it will have to wait longer than expected for a return on its investment.