Indian cement sales continued to remain strong in May, driven by strong pre-monsoon demand, as high prices in some parts of the country failed to deter buyers.  While Aditya Birla Group’s cement despatches for the month of May grew 7.92 per cent, Gujarat Ambuja’s figures climbed 20 per cent. This, despite consumers resisting price hikes.
 
The high despatch figures for May also indicate that the manufactures are still in control of the markets. The Aditya Birla Group cement production for May grew 3.66 per cent at 2.609Mt, while despatches rose by 7.92 per cent at 2.8Mt in May ’05. The group’s cement production for April-May ’06 stood at 5.286Mt which is up by 6.08 per cent, and the despatches climbed 7.51 per cent to 5.633Mt
 
Gujarat Ambuja Cements (GACL), the third-largest cement producer in the country, recorded a 19 per cent growth in production for the month of May ’06 at 1.315Mt, while despatches for the month were higher by 20 per cent at 1.312Mt. 
 
 Ambuja Cement Eastern has also logged in a 13 per cent rise in cement production at 0.167Mt for May while despatches grew 19 per cent to hit 0.176Mt.