Poland’s infrastructure investment boom was the signal for cement producers to start raising prices. Since the beginning of January, companies have been testing the market. In 2010, almost 15.4Mt of cement were sold, which is a two per cent increase since 2009. Gorazdze Cement and Cementownia Ozarow raised prices by 10-12 per cent for bagged cement.
Lafarge Cement is planning a similar price hike during the first quarter. Experts say the prices of building materials will not increase due to the growing number of investments. Cement companies claim rises are a response to growing production costs. Prices of fuel and transport have increased, as have the costs of labour, as well as CO2 emission costs. However, cement producers are careful in changing prices, as the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) is keeping a close eye following a price-fixing case in 2009.
