Electricity tariffs and other inflationary pressures have put pressure on cement manufacturers in Pakistan to increase cement prices.

Cement producers have increased their prices by PKR15-20/50kg bag (US$0.14-0.19), a brokerage house reported yesterday.

“Local cement prices have increased by 15-20 per 50kg bag, an increase of three to four per cent, over average retail prices that are currently hovering around PKR497.88 per bag,” Abia Zaidi at Shajar Capitals, said.

Going forward, with cement demand likely to stay firm, the development holds positive implications for the cement sector’s profitability, she said.