Bagged cement price increases

Cement companies in Pakistan have increased price by Rs5 per bag. According to cement dealers, Javedan Cement Company increased price of cement some days back and after that other companies also increased cement price. In most of the cement companies, coal is now used as fuel and its price in international market has gone up to US$70/t, which also became the cause of increase in cement price.

Due to intense cold weather and rains, cement companies are reportedly working at 60 per cent capacity, however, after the end of rains and restoration of cement export to Afghanistan through Afghan Transit Trade, these companies would be expected to boost capacity utilisation to around 80-90 per cent.