Fal-G brick prices head north

Fal-G brick prices have increased significantly in Andhra Pradesh. Within a span of three months, brick manufacturers have doubled the price and again some producers are planning to hike it further depending on the demand.

All the raw materials like cement, crusher dust, gypsum and labour costs have seen a steep increase over the last one year, which has led to the rise in Fal-G brick prices, N Kalidas, president, Fly-ash Building Material Manufacturers Association, told Business Standard.

The 30x22.5x15 cm size brick which cost Rs 7.95 in January last year was priced at Rs 8.90 by June 2006. In April 2007, this was hiked to Rs 9.90 and by the end of July 2007, it touched Rs 10.50. Similarly, the commonly used 29x19x12.5 cm brick cost too increased to Rs 7.15 a brick in July 2007 from Rs 5.50 in January 2006.

Over the last one year, cement prices increased to Rs 210 from Rs 170 a bag, crusher dust from Rs 100 to 160 per tonne, gypsum from Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,300 per tonne. Besides, labour charges too increased by 15-20 per cent during this period, he said.

Currently, there are about 2,000 small and medium scale Fal-G brick manufacturing units in the state. Of this, about 800 units, with a production capacity of 10 million bricks a day, came up during the last fiscal.

But, this rise has not impacted the price of clay bricks. "As Fal-G bricks are easily available, the clay bricks costs have been under control in the state," he added.