Czech Republic: Lafarge Cement says that an on-going national cement shortage due to high operating costs will likely continue into 2023. MACR News has reported that Lafarge Cement chief executive officer Miroslav Kratochvíl said that the producer's Čížkovice cement plant would have suspended deliveries altogether if not for its existing commitments to customers. The company's pre-existing deals for its power supply enabled it to restrict energy costs growth to less than double 2021 levels in November 2022. Fuels, including alternative fuels, and other raw materials, are also at a price high due to shortages.
Lafarge Cement expects Czech construction activity to decline by 5 - 10% year-on-year in 2023. Kratochvíl said "We would welcome a slight drop in demand."
