Retail cement prices set to rise in north

Retail cement prices in north India are set to increase by Rs 10 per 50 kg bag on account of a spike in demand in the region. The prices are currently around Rs 165 for a 50 kg bag.

"After low pick-up in the month of February owing to an extreme winter, sales are now steady. Manufacturers like Shree Cement, who have a strong presence in the region, are likely to push up prices by around Rs 10 a bag," said an industry expert.

Industry experts also pointed out that the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are also likely to witness an upward revision in prices soon. "Retail prices in Tamil Nadu could go up by Rs 10 in the next few days," said a senior company official.

While prices in Tamil Nadu are around Rs 155 per 50 kg bag, in Kerela, retail cement prices are in the range of Rs 165-170 per 50 kg bag. In Andhra Pradesh, however, prices continued to remain low at Rs 135-140 levels for a 50 kg bag.

Meanwhile, in Mumbai, the largest cement market in the country, retail prices were just shy of Rs 180 per 50 kg bag.

"Major cement companies increased prices by around Rs 3 in the beginning of this month so it is unlikely that there will be another price hike before the 15 of March," said a leading cement stockist in the city. Prices in the western region are expected to remain at existing levels for the next few days.

The eastern states of West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar continue to witness firm prices in the retail cement sector at Rs 180 plus for a 50 kg bag.