Holcim holds off price increase until March

There will not be any price increase on the cement, at least none until the end of March. This was the promise made by Holcim Philippines who said that they will not be increasing their price in Metro Manila in order to help those who were hit by the typhoons which devastated the country late last year.

Holcim president Ed Sahagun, said in an interview, that the current price will be maintained in Metro Manila until the end of the first quarter, any studies or review of a possible price increase will be done in March.

But while the company maintained their prices in Metro Manila, they have already increased the cement price in Northern Luzon and Mindanao. Sahagun said the selective increase was done because they would like to help the people who were affected by the typhoons. He also added the price increase in other areas was because of the increase in power costs. Northern Luzon and Mindanao cement prices were increased by five percent. Meralco has already advised that power rates may go up this month.

When asked how much would be the possible price increase, Sahagun refused to divulged and said that it is yet to be determined at this point.

Another cement company, the Lafarge Cement Services Inc. has already increased their cement prices by P2 to P3 last December. They were planning to hold another price adjustment this year, but according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) the company agreed to hold off their planned five percent increase in heeding the call of the government to try to mitigate any price adjustment.

Prices of cements increased because of the slight cement shortage experienced last December. Prices went up to P270 per bag in some areas, wherein the suggested retail price (SRP) is only P205 to P210 per bag.

From China Cement (2010-2-9)