Cement demand during the first two months of March 2014 quarter grew by a modest ~2 per cent y-o-y and it grew by 3.3 per cent y-o-y during the 11 months of FY14. Cement demand recovered marginally after December 2013, as execution of certain infrastructure projects picked up (mainly in north and west India).
More importantly, prices were hiked thrice (overall increase of 12-20 per cent q-o-q), supported by production discipline in most parts of India and supply constraints in north India. South India saw continued demand deceleration and paltry price increase of 5-6 per cent q-o-q owing to Telangana related agitation in Andhra Pradesh and non-availability of sand and lack of infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu.
Cement demand remained strong in the central region owing to both retail and project demand. Acceleration in pending project executions also lifted demand in the western region, albeit at a slow pace.