Cement prices have firmed up in the southern and western regions of India
even as the monsoons are fast approaching. Andhra Pradesh has witnessed a
significant `price correction’ post-elections, with retail cement prices
rising by 6 percent. In Maharashtra, there has been a 3 percent increase in
cement prices since mid-Apr 2004 due to an increase in rural demand. The
price increase is mainly because construction demand is picking up just
before the onset of the monsoons. In Andhra Pradesh, cement prices have
risen to Rs140-145 per bag. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the price is around
Rs160 per bag. In certain pockets of Maharashtra, cement prices have
increased to Rs140-145 per bag. Published under Cement News