Swiss cement sales

Swiss cement sales stood at 3.699Mt in 2003, down by 1.9 per cent year-on-year, the Swiss cement industry association Cemsuisse said on January 12, 2004.  Cemsuisse expected an up to 5.0 per cent annual drop in cement sales for 2003. The country's cement sales fell in the first three quarters of 2003 in comparison to the same period of 2002, while in the fourth quarter they registered a 4.0 per cent year-on-year increase.  Cement sales in the cantons of Appenzell-Ausserrhoden, Uri and Lucerne rose in 2003 compared to 2002, while in the cantons of Basel City, Jura and Appenzell- Innerrhoden cement sales fell.  Fifty percent of the total cement sales in Swistzerland in 2003 were handled by rail deliveries.