Prague, May 19 (CTK) - Czech cement output decreased by around a third year-on-year to 538,789 tonnes in Q1 and domestic cement sales dropped similarly to 492,335 tonnes, CTK learnt from the website of the Association of Cement Producers (SVC) Tuesday.

The main reason behind the slump is not the economic crisis but harsh winter, the SVC said.

In Jan-March, cement exports dropped by around a third on the year to 72,795 tonnes. Cement imports dropped by more than 30 percent to 104,375 tonnes.

Cement producers believe the rest of the year will be more successful and production will gradually increase.

However, according to Jan Hrozek, board of directors chairman of cement maker Ceskomoravsky cement, cement production will not be as high as in previous years. For example, building construction has allegedly registered a falling demand already.

Companies such as Ceskomoravsky cement, Lafarge Cement, Holcim and Cement Hranice are among the largest producers of cement in the Czech Republic.