Elara Capital has reported a pan-India average price hike of ₹12 per bag in December, marking the sharpest monthly increase in calendar year 2024. The brokerage highlighted that price adjustments ranged from ₹5-40 per bag across various regions in January, as the industry looks to maintain momentum amid ongoing challenges.
In regional trends, central and northern India saw price increases of ₹5-15 per bag, while eastern India reported sharper hikes of ₹10-30 per bag. In the southern market, prices rose by ₹10-15 per bag, with Maharashtra and Gujarat witnessing hikes of ₹10 per bag.
Despite these gains, the cement industry faced operational hurdles in December due to winter conditions, limited labor availability, and pollution-related disruptions, particularly in the NCR region. Looking ahead, the upcoming Makar Sankranti festival is expected to slow down construction activity in Gujarat, potentially impacting demand in the short term.
Elara Capital’s insights suggest that these price movements aim to offset input cost pressures and sustain margins amidst a volatile environment.
