NEW figures released by the Mineral Products Association (MPA) shows that demand for core construction materials remains stuck at ‘alarmingly weak levels’.
While sales of some products stabilised in the final quarter of 2025, there was no change in the overall picture. Over 2025 as a whole, demand for materials including concrete (-9.9%), aggregates (-1.6%) and asphalt (-1.1%) fell for a fourth consecutive year, leaving sales volumes at historic lows. The MPA added that a 5.2% annual increase in mortar sales masked a loss of momentum in the second half of the year.
Weak materials demand, alongside rising costs, is forcing businesses to take difficult decisions to cut capacity and control costs, the organisation claimed. Sites are being mothballed, investment deferred and skilled jobs put at risk.
Aurelie Delannoy, director of economic affairs at the MPA, said, “The prolonged downturn in demand for mineral products showed no sign of easing at the end of 2025. This reflects the fragile state of both the UK construction sector and the wider economy, as well as persistently weak investment confidence.
“These materials are used at the very start of construction projects, and sustained weakness in demand shows Britain is not meeting its commitments to build more homes or speed up the delivery of critical infrastructure.”
MPA argues that the four-year downturn in materials demand reflects a ‘chronic’ lack of new work across housing, commercial development and infrastructure.
Chris Leese, executive chair of the MPA, added, “Construction materials are one of the clearest early indicators of activity on the ground. Despite the scale of the political ambition, the autumn budget fell short on growth, and without swift, decisive action to restore confidence and unlock investment, the UK risks undermining its ability to deliver the housing and infrastructure it needs. When material demand remains this weak for this long, it points to serious delivery failures and growing risks to the UK’s domestic supply capacity.”
