Cement sales decline in November on slack demand

03 Dec 2010 Evaluate

The unseasonal rains in a few States and festival season seem to have taken a toll on cement sales in November. Almost all the cement majors have reported a sharp fall in sales month-on-month. Shortage of labour during the festival season in November slowed real estate activity resulting in reduced demand for cement. Besides, some of the companies hiked prices in October resulting in lower demand.

Although prices declined Rs 10-15 a bag across the country in November, it is still higher compared with last year, he added. The drop in prices comes after a rise of Rs 50-80 a bag in October. The prices hovered about Rs 240 a bag in November compared with Rs 245 a bag in the previous month. Cement companies hiked prices in October on the back of revival in demand post-monsoon.

The cement industry recorded sales growth of 17 per cent in October, according to the Cement Manufacturers Association. Shree Cement, a dominant player in the northern region, reported that its dispatches were down 7.62 per cent to 6, 50,000 tonnes from 7, 00,000 tonnes. With the fall in sales and fear of supply outstripping demand, cement manufacturers may find it hard to pass on the rise in input cost. At present, the cement industry has a capacity of 275 mtpa, which is likely to go beyond 300 mtpa by 2012. Prices of all raw materials such as coal, power and fuel are on the rise in the last few months. Transportation charges have also gone up substantially.

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