Local press has reported that the four largest Thai cement producers, which command more than 85% local market share, announced a Bt200/ t hike in local cement price in mid-August with a plan to further increase it by Bt200/t in September.
Though there is concern that excess capacities could preclude the hike, the demand growth of almost 10% YoY suggests that cement producers are regaining their pricing power. Analysts at TISCO Securities believe this price hike is sustainable as it is a coordinated move. Even though the net price hike may not be as high as Bt400/t as the producers expect, it is still positive.
