According to the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service of the Russian Federation, at the height of the construction season, the cement deficit may reach 20% of the production volume.
According to the Builders’ Association of Russia, last year the prices for cement grew by over 100% in the country, and the resource’s share in the costs of construction per square meter grew to 12%. This year the prices for cement are expected to grow 1.5 times pushed by the growing prices for resources, electricity and logistics.
As a solution to the problem, the experts have suggested increasing the supplies of cement from abroad, and the customs duties for imported cement have been annulled for a preferential period, which is to last about nine months.
The Director-General of the Rusmet.ru said the cement manufacturers of Russia are working at 80-90% of their capacity. However the problem is that over 80% of cement in Russia is produced using the old, so-called "wet" method, which requires inefficient use of energy and is thus uncompetitive.
The deficit of cement may however be liquidated if the cement needs in Russia forecasted for 2010-2011 turnout to be as estimated 120Mt, and the production capacities reach 140Mt.
