The evolution of cement sales is generally used as an indicator of the tendency to build more, whether it be homes or other types of buildings.
In Lanzarote, sales of this essential construction material increased by 15.2% in October compared to September, reaching nearly 5,400 tons.
Does that mean that the housing emergency that many citizens of the island are suffering is being reflected in greater dynamism in construction on the island? The data for the year as a whole reflect that this is not happening. At least as far as cement sales are concerned.
A total of 52,900 tons of cement were purchased on the island of Lanzarote last year, and in the first ten months of 2024, for which data exists, there have been 43,519.8 tons.
If we take into account the figures for the first ten months of last year, we have a total of 44,914.8 tons. In other words, cement sales have been lower so far in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
To have an even clearer idea of whether or not construction is growing in Lanzarote, it is interesting to observe the numbers that occurred during the covid 19 pandemic.
Between 2019 and 2022, cement sales grew well above previous years and were also higher than in the last two years, as many entrepreneurs took advantage of the absence of tourists to undertake construction work.
In 2019, more than 66,000 tons were sold, while in 2020 it was more than 75,000 and in 2021 it exceeded 72,000.
