Cement prices have risen by INR10/50 kg bag across India due to higher excise duty and increase in prices of raw materials. At present, cement is selling at INR265-275/bag in Mumbai, INR285-295/bag at Kolkata, and INR245-255/bag in Chennai.

Analysts say that the southern market is suffering from excess supply of about 20-30 per cent. According to the Cement Manufacturers’ Association, the production of cement was 136.51Mt while despatches were 136.56Mt for Apr 2010-Jan 2011 (against production of 130.85Mt and despatches of 130.09Mt in Apr 2009-Jan 2010).