Cement demand declines with rising input costs in India

09 Jun 2022 CW Team

Cement stocks have been hit recently due to a decline in demand and rising input prices for the sector.

Jefferies told the media that the prices of cement declined by 3% on a month-on-month (MoM) basis or Rs 11 per bag in May 2022.

The company highlighted the risk of downgrades in earnings estimates has resurfaced. It said multiple markets declined due to weak demand and the smallest decline in the western and the largest in the central region.

According to a report, prices declined in May across all the regions of the country with a drop of up to Rs 35 per bag every month. The cement industry sought a price hike in early May but rolled it back due to muted demand.

The prices of cement bags declined by Rs 23 per bag in the south and Rs 18 in the central region. However, prices in eastern, northern and western regions have declined by Rs 17, Rs 15 and Rs 6, respectively.

The rising price of coal and inflation, along with the shortage of labour, is a challenge for cement companies.

According to JM Financial, petcoke prices have increased and might impact margins in the first quarter (Q1) of FY23.

The volumes transported by railway freight indicate an improvement in demand on an MoM basis, as compared to last year, transported volumes in May 2022, with robust growth of 30% YoY.

According to the Emkay Global report, industries expect demand improvement on June 22 due to a recent fall in steel prices and a likely increase in pre-monsoon construction activities.

Companies have announced a price hike of Rs 15-20 per bag for the current month.

Emkay Global has chosen UltraTech Cement and Shree Cement in large-caps, Birla Corporation in mid-caps and Sagar Cement in small-caps from the sector.

JM Financial has identified UltraTech Cement, Shree Cement, ACC Cement, Dalmia Bharat, JK Cement, JK Lakshmi Cement, Sagar Cement and Orient Cement across the sector.

Image Source

Also read: New wave of consolidation is expected in the cement industry

Cement stocks have been hit recently due to a decline in demand and rising input prices for the sector. Jefferies told the media that the prices of cement declined by 3% on a month-on-month (MoM) basis or Rs 11 per bag in May 2022. The company highlighted the risk of downgrades in earnings estimates has resurfaced. It said multiple markets declined due to weak demand and the smallest decline in the western and the largest in the central region. According to a report, prices declined in May across all the regions of the country with a drop of up to Rs 35 per bag every month. The cement industry sought a price hike in early May but rolled it back due to muted demand. The prices of cement bags declined by Rs 23 per bag in the south and Rs 18 in the central region. However, prices in eastern, northern and western regions have declined by Rs 17, Rs 15 and Rs 6, respectively. The rising price of coal and inflation, along with the shortage of labour, is a challenge for cement companies. According to JM Financial, petcoke prices have increased and might impact margins in the first quarter (Q1) of FY23. The volumes transported by railway freight indicate an improvement in demand on an MoM basis, as compared to last year, transported volumes in May 2022, with robust growth of 30% YoY. According to the Emkay Global report, industries expect demand improvement on June 22 due to a recent fall in steel prices and a likely increase in pre-monsoon construction activities. Companies have announced a price hike of Rs 15-20 per bag for the current month. Emkay Global has chosen UltraTech Cement and Shree Cement in large-caps, Birla Corporation in mid-caps and Sagar Cement in small-caps from the sector. JM Financial has identified UltraTech Cement, Shree Cement, ACC Cement, Dalmia Bharat, JK Cement, JK Lakshmi Cement, Sagar Cement and Orient Cement across the sector. Image Source Also read: New wave of consolidation is expected in the cement industry

Infrastructure Energy

17 Dec 2025

Vedanta Aluminium Uses 1.57 bn Units of Green Energy in FY25

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently reported consumption of 1.57 billion units of renewable energy in FY25, marking a significant milestone in its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap. The company also achieved an 8.96 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared to FY21, reinforcing its leadership in India’s low-carbon manufacturing transition. During FY25, Vedanta Aluminium expanded its renewable energy portfolio through long-term power purchase agreements, strengthening its strategy to source nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power over the lon..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

Oberoi Group to Develop Luxury Resort at Makaibari Tea Estate

EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, has announced the signing of a management agreement to develop an Oberoi luxury resort at the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The project marks a key milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in rare and environmentally significant locations. Established in 1859, Makaibari is one of the world’s oldest tea estates and is globally recognised for its Himalayan landscape, primary forests and exceptional biodiversity. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate houses one of the world�..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

GHV Infra Secures Rs 1.09 Bn EPC Order in Jamshedpur

GHV Infra Projects Ltd, a fast-growing EPC company in India’s infrastructure and construction sector, has recently secured a Rs 1.09 billion work order in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Awarded by a reputed group entity, the contract covers end-to-end civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with high-quality finishing works for a large building development. The project will be executed over a 30-month period, with defined benchmarks for quality, safety and timely delivery. The order strengthens GHV Infra’s footprint in Jamshedpur, a key industrial hub known fo..