China cement prices ease

Cement prices in China eased to a national average of CNY361/t (US$58) by 28 February 2014, down from a recent peak of CNY373/t (US$60) on 20 January, according to figures from Digital Steel. The downturn was largely due to weakening prices in Central Southern and Eastern China.

Meanwhile, the industry's inventory ratio climbed to 72 per cent by end-February, up from a trough of 62 per cent on 8 November 2013. Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics show output rising by 10.8 per cent YoY in December 2013 – the first double-digit growth pace since October 2012. (Source: The China Perspective)