Cement producers in Pakistan’s Southern region have raised prices by PKR15/50kg bag.

A cement dealer said the ex-factory price of Falcon and Lucky Cement had been raised to PKR380 and PKR375 per bag. The ex-factory price of other cement varieties is now quoted at PKR365.

He said the wholesale rate of Falcon Cement was now tagged at PKR397 while its retail rate hovered between PKR410-415 depending on the dealers’ margin. Cement makers in Northern region had already increased rates.

Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in his budget speech had stated that the federal excise duty (FED) on cement will be phased out in three years. A reduction of PKR200/t is proposed in the first year and equal reduction of the balance of PKR500/t in the next two budgets.