Concrete prices rise as building season commences

Prices for concrete throughout the country are ranging between €82 and €96 per cubic metre depending on the class strength required.

According to Department of Agriculture specifications, a class strength of 45N, otherwise known as Mix A, is required for walled silos, silo slabs, silage aprons, silo channels and purpose-built silage effluent tanks.

Prices are ranging from €87 up to €96 per cubic metre including VAT for a 20mm aggregate mix delivered.

Concrete to be used for all other purposes including slurry tanks requires concrete of a class strength 37N, which is otherwise known as Mix B. This is being quoted between €82 and €93 per cubic metre including VAT for a 20mm aggregate mix delivered.

These prices are up significantly on 2015 prices, which showed that 35N concrete cost on average €78 including VAT per cubic metre, according to a survey carried out by the IFA.

This is not comparing like with like as the specifications have increased as well as the price over the last two years.

For smaller loads of less than 8m3 a small load charge of €40 was included in the overall cost with some merchants.

There was no significant price difference for concrete containing ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), with several merchants recommending the use of GGBS concrete for specialised purposes where there is a higher chance of corrosion, such as in silage slabs, to extend the life of the concrete.