The earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Japan has contributed to a sharp surge in prices for export cement in Southeast Asia. Currently, a tonne of cement costs around US$43, a 20% increase on the previous year.

HeidelbergCement CEO Bernd Scheifele said: “The price for cement exports from China rose by US$8/t.” He added that the development is also a reflection of Japan’s weakened position as a cement exporter after the earthquake and noted that the California market has also been affected. Transport from Asia to the US West Coast is hardly worth the effort due to the low margins.
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