KARACHI, June 9: Cement prices have risen just before the budget and currently the price of various brands range between Rs290-325 as compared to Rs240-270 a month back.

In absence of any check on the prices, manufacturers have been pushing up the rates without any fear at a time when construction activities are at peak ahead of the monsoon season.

Falcon Cement is now selling at Rs325 per 50 kg bag at retail as compared to Rs300 a month back. In April it was selling at Rs290-295.

Lucky cement is available at Rs300 while Pak Land and DG Khan cement sells at Rs320, Thatta and Javedan cement at Rs290. In April Lucky cement was selling at Rs275.

In May cement prices were relatively calm. However, about a week ago the manufacturers became active and increased the rate by Rs2.50 per 50 kg after every two days, president Karachi Cement Dealers Association (KCDA) Wali Bhai Patel said.

In case the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) or the government did not take any action, the cement manufacturers would push the rate to the maximum limit ahead of the budget, he feared.

He did not agree that the demand of cement had been high these days. He said that cement makers had been creating artificial shortage in the market by piling up stocks in their godowns before the budget.

He said that the makers of Falcon cement had always taken the lead while the rest followed them.

While making windfall in the local markets owing to rising construction activities in summer season marked by renovation of houses, the cement makers had also been enjoying a boom period in export business.

Export of cement during July-April 2007-08 surged by 170 per cent worth $298 million (4,996,396 tons) as compared to $110 million (2,120,845 tons) in the same period of 2006-2007.