- October price hikes gain traction in select markets
- Higher input costs support manufacturers’ push for better realizations
Indian Cement manufacturers have announced price hike of INR 5-20/bag in trade channel across major Indian markets for October 2026 dispatches. Meanwhile, acceptance at dealer channel was uneven across the country. Material shortages and moderate buying supported increases in parts of the West, while rainfall, subdued demand and limited off take constrained price realization in Eastern and Central markets.
In the non-trade segment, prices of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) increased by INR 10-20/bag m-o-m in October 2026, according to market sources.
Regional market trends
Western region witness material shortage, support price hike
In Mumbai, cement producers raised prices by INR 10-20/bag for early October. Material shortages across the trade channel, coupled with moderate buying activity, supported the increase. Average PPC trade prices rose by INR 7/bag w-o-w to INR 389/bag.
In Ahmedabad, mills attempted price increases of INR 5-10/bag during October. Decent demand in the trade channel supported the upward pricing trend, although the weekly PPC trade price edged w-o-w to INR 362/bag.
Eastern region remain under pressure ahead of festival
Cement demand remained subdued in Kolkata amid persistent rainfall and a slowdown in construction-material movement ahead of the Durga Puja festival. Market sources said mills attempted to raise prices by INR 10/bag in October, but the increase had not translated into higher trade prices because of weak demand. On weekly basis, PPC trade prices dropped by INR 3/bag w-o-w to INR 297/bag.
Dealers remained cautious about inventory accumulation as rainfall disrupted construction activity and restricted cement movement. Manufacturers continued to seek higher realizations to offset operating-cost pressures, but limited buying interest constrained their ability to implement the increases.
Southern region witnessed highest price increase
Cement makers announced price hike of up to INR 20/bag in October, although the extent of implementation varied by location.
In Hyderabad, leading manufacturers announced a price increase of INR 20/bag. Average trade prices moved higher w-o-w by INR 7/bag to INR 290/bag, but limited buyer acceptance and weak demand restricted the pass-through of the full increase. Festive-season restrictions on vehicle movement also affected cement dispatches and market activity.
In Chennai, cement mills raised prices by up to INR 15/bag in October. However, weak buying interest and limited implementation of the announced hikes constrained weekly trade-price gains. Average trade level PPC prices rose by INR 12/bag w-o-w to INR 339/bag.
In Bangalore, trade level PPC prices stood dropped by INR 7/bag w-o-w to INR 385/bag owing to weak demand.
Central region fails to sustain price hike
In Raipur, trade prices were stable on the week amid selling pressure from subdued buying activity and adequate material availability. Mills attempted to raise prices by INR 10/bag in October, but the increase was not sustained in the trade market. Higher availability and weak lifting continued to weigh on price realization during the week.
Northern region show slight rise in prices
In Delhi, major cement producers announced a price increase of INR 10/bag in the trade segment. Following this, trade prices edged up w-o-w to INR 348/bag. Dealers raised billing prices, supporting an increase in average trade prices w-o-w. However, weak demand continued to limit buyers’ willingness to absorb higher prices, creating uncertainty over the sustainability of the increase.
Project updates
The infrastructure and construction sector witnessed strong order inflows across roads, highways, power, water, buildings, solar, telecom and oil and gas.
NCC secured orders worth INR 1,576.93 crore in September and an additional INR 1,286 crore road project in Telangana, alongside a INR 1,076.71 crore rural water supply contract. KEC International won orders worth INR 1,030 crore, while Bondada Engineering secured solar and telecom-related orders worth INR 1,300 crore collectively. Dilip Buildcon advanced its LPG pipeline and elevated corridor projects, while Interarch, NBCC, A B Infrabuild, Afcons Infrastructure and KPIL also reported significant order wins, strengthening sector-wide execution visibility.
Outlook
Cement PPC trade prices are expected to maintain an upward trajectory in the coming days, supported by recent price hikes by manufacturers across key markets and rising fuel costs. Imported pet coke prices increased from $148/t in August to $167/t CNF Vizag in September, while non-coking coal prices ex-Bilaspur rose by INR 920/t m-o-m to INR 6,180/t. With monsoon conditions easing and construction activity expected to improve, a recovery in dealer volumes could further support price realizations. Manufacturers are likely to continue passing on higher input costs to end users, keeping cement prices firm in the near term.
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