Vietnam: Major cement producers Vicem Bỉm Sơn, Bút Sơn, The Vissai, Thành Thắng Group and Xuân Thành Cement will increase prices from 20 October 2024 due to rising production costs from electricity, coal and packaging, according to Viet Nam News. A representative from Thành Thắng Group said that the company has recently faced a 4.8% rise in electricity prices, impacting production costs despite measures to improve efficiency and cut costs, like utilising waste heat recovery systems. The decision to increase electricity prices by Vietnam Electricity reportedly came into effect on 11 October 2024, with ongoing global geopolitical conflicts also contributing to rising costs for coal and oil.
The Vietnam National Cement Association said that price increases were ‘inevitable’, as cement has reportedly been sold below cost ‘for years’ and companies would likely not survive if prices were not increased to cover the additional costs. The list of cement producers raising prices is reportedly expected to increase in the coming weeks.