The construction sector is suffering the consequences of an increase in the costs of raw materials and during the second quarter of this year, it reported a decrease in both sales and volume.

According to INSTAT data, sales have fallen by 7.3 percent compared to the same period a year ago and 9.3 percent compared to the first quarter of this year.

The volume of new construction was 5 percent lower than the second quarter of last year and about 10 percent lower than the first quarter of this year.

The costs of raw materials in the construction sector have increased by up to 90 percent, while apartment prices are on average 200 to 300 euros per square meter more expensive than in 2020.

Construction was the main contributor to easing the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, reporting growth in the past two years, culminating in 30 percent more sales in the second quarter of 2021.