European media drew attention to the critical situation in a number of sectors of the economy due to the shortage of a number of building materials. The deficit affected the largest European countries - the UK, France, Germany and Spain. This will significantly increase the cost of goods and negatively affect the consumer.
According to Paris-based Le Monde, the shortage problem stemmed from the coronavirus pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and disorganized global markets. Western producers are experiencing a serious shortage of raw materials, primarily wood, steel and cement. A particularly hard hit in Europe has taken the construction sector, which lacks lumber, ironwork, and various tiles. In France, prices for timber have jumped by 15% in recent months, for building materials in total - by 12%. Since December 2020, steel prices have been increasing by 15-20% every month.
Among the reasons for the shortage of building materials in Europe, analysts, along with the coronavirus epidemic, name Brexit, the temporary blockage of the Suez Canal, as well as a sharply increased demand for a number of goods and services.
