Cement Price Trend and Forecast

Price Watch™ provides real-time price assessments and price forecasts for Cement across top trading regions:  

Note: In assessments structured as CIF [Importing Port] (Exporting Country), the country mentioned in brackets indicates the primary origin of supply (exporting country), while the named port refers to the destination port in the importing country. Other Incoterms (FOB, FD, EXW, etc.) should be interpreted in accordance with standard international trade definitions. The prices we provide in China include VAT, but in other countries, domestic prices do not include tax.

Cement Price Trend Q1 2026

During Q1 2026, cement prices across global markets exhibited a broadly mixed trend, shaped by a combination of regional demand variations, cost escalations from Middle East tensions, and policy interventions. China recorded the most substantial price weakening as sustained real estate downturns and production cuts drove significant market disruption, while Turkey, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Philippines posted firm gains driven by resilient infrastructure activity and freight cost surges during the quarter.

India, USA, Brazil, Italy, and Vietnam reflected modest firmness or stability tracking domestic construction rebounds alongside balanced supply conditions. The cement price trend across regions underscored the growing influence of geopolitical logistics pressures and uneven industrial demand on global market pricing throughout the quarter.

India: Cement Local Prices Ex-North India, India, Grade- OPC 43.

In Q1 2026, Cement prices in India have been recording a near-flat movement of approximately 0.74% QoQ, as seasonal demand recovery and stabilizing inventory levels stemming from post-winter construction rebound have been exerting opposing forces on the market, with supply adjustments having been broadly balancing out residual cost pressures from prior GST reductions.

The cement price trend in India has been reflecting a cautious procurement environment where buyers and producers have been navigating gradual demand upticks without significant net price movement during the quarter. Cement prices have been remaining largely stable as domestic production continuity has been limiting sharper upward adjustments.

In March 2026, Cement prices in India have been rising by around 3.23% MoM, as construction activity has been intensifying inventory drawdowns and has been beginning to transmit more forcefully into spot pricing during the month.

China: Cement Local Prices Ex-Anhui, China, Grade- OPC 42.5.

According to Price-Watch™ , in Q1 2026, Cement prices in China recorded a broadly weaker movement of approximately −7.85%, as sustained demand erosion from the structural downturn in real estate and a slowdown in transportation infrastructure exerted persistent downward forces, with disciplined peak-shifting production only partially tempering the imbalance.

The cement price trend in China reflected a cautious and deteriorating procurement environment where buyers and producers navigated widespread demand weakness, with East China and Anhui output contracting sharply amid the national output decline of -7.1% year-on-year.  Cement prices remained under sustained pressure as rising inventories and elevated coal costs compressed margins, contributing to a broadly loss-making quarter for the industry.

In March 2026, Cement prices in China declined by around -3.11%, as the post-holiday demand recovery proved slower than expected amid cool weather and constrained construction activity, intensifying competition and transmitting further weakness into spot pricing during the month.

Turkey: Bulk Cement Export Prices FOB-Medcem, Turkey, Grade- Type I/II

In Q1 2026, Cement prices in Turkey recorded a modestly firmer movement of approximately 1.56%, as resilient domestic construction activity sustained by earthquake reconstruction and urban transformation programs exerted upward forces, with rising energy and freight costs broadly reinforcing the positive trend.

Domestic cement sales surged sharply in the first two months, rising by more than a third compared to the same period a year earlier, absorbing production gains and anchoring the market in internal rebuilding activity. The cement price trend in Turkey reflected a firming environment where producers navigated elevated operational costs, while export flows moderated amid shifting trade dynamics and policy-related uncertainties that kept overseas demand subdued.

Prices remained broadly supported as robust domestic offtake and cost-side pressures offset weaker international sales. In March 2026, Cement prices in Turkey rose by around 1.87%, as strong internal demand intensified and logistical challenges began transmitting further strength into spot pricing during the month.

USA: Bulk Cement Import Prices CIF-Houston from Turkey, USA, Grade- Type I/II

In Q1 2026, Cement prices in the United States recorded a modestly firmer movement of approximately 0.36%, as a notable rebound in housing starts during March, which surged month-on-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of one and a half million units, exerted upward forces, while a sharp concurrent drop in building permits and cautious procurement strategies linked to sufficient domestic supply availability broadly tempered the positive momentum.

The cement price trend in the United States reflected a cautiously steady environment where steady federal infrastructure spending provided a durable demand floor, helping offset reduced demand from traditional commercial sectors. Prices remained broadly stable, with producers implementing increases heading into April to offset persistent cost inflation.

In March 2026, Cement prices in the United States rose by around 0.73%, as the late-month construction activity uptick and the anticipation of seasonal demand strengthening began transmitting modest firmness into spot pricing during the month.

Brazil: Bulk Cement Import Prices CIF- Santos from Turkey, Brazil, Grade- Type I/II

In Q1 2026, Cement prices in Brazil recorded a modestly firmer movement of approximately 0.34%, as resilient demand from the Minha Casa Minha Vida housing program reinforced by a strong labour market with unemployment at a historic low and rising real incomes exerted upward forces, while elevated interest rates that constrained real estate financing, and rising fuel and logistics costs stemming from the Middle East conflict, broadly tempered the positive momentum.

The cement price trend in Brazil reflected a cautiously firming environment where buyers and producers navigated diverging forces social housing and infrastructure investment supported baseline demand, yet the Selic rate remaining at elevated levels kept credit scarce and procurement measured, particularly early in the quarter when construction activity slowed to its weakest January in nearly a decade.

Prices remained broadly supported as the housing program and improving consumer confidence offset financial headwinds. In March 2026, Cement prices in Brazil rose by around 0.70%, as sales volumes surged alongside strengthening construction confidence and employment, transmitting further strength into spot pricing during the month.

Italy: Bulk Cement Import Prices CIF- Genoa from Turkey, Italy, Grade- Type I/II

In Q1 2026, Cement prices in Italy recorded a modestly firmer movement of approximately 0.40%, as the lagged transmission of elevated energy costs with production expenses remaining historically high well into 2026 and tightening carbon-compliance obligations under the EU Emissions Trading System exerted upward forces, while subdued construction activity and a sharp contraction in domestic cement output broadly tempered the positive momentum.

Construction output edged lower in January, marking the sector’s first annual decline since late 2024, and weakened further through February, when cement production reportedly dropped sharply amid adverse weather and sluggish demand.

The cement price trend in Italy reflected a stabilising yet cautious procurement environment, where buyers navigated a tentative start to the year as residential activity remained under pressure from declining building permits and broader economic headwinds, even as public infrastructure programs provided a partial counterweight.

Prices remained broadly supported by persistent cost-side factors, preventing a more pronounced pullback despite the soft volume environment. In March 2026, Cement prices in Italy rose by around 0.76%, as demand conditions showed tentative improvement and the accumulated cost pressures began transmitting further strength into spot pricing during the month.

Vietnam: Bulk Cement Export Prices FOB- Hai Phong, Vietnam, Grade- Type I

In Q1 2026, Cement prices in Vietnam recorded a broadly firmer movement of approximately 2.85%, as domestic demand proved resilient, underpinned by an accelerating public investment cycle and steady residential construction activity, with tightening seaborne supply exerting upward forces on the market. Export volumes surged and domestic dispatches rose substantially, absorbing a significant portion of output even as production expanded sharply.

The cement price trend in Vietnam reflected a firming procurement environment where multiple price increase announcements are put forward by producers to offset mounting energy and freight costs, with buyers progressively absorbing these adjustments.

Alongside robust export demand, supply-side discipline and sustained cost-side pressures further consolidated the upward pricing trajectory. In March 2026, Cement prices in Vietnam rose by around 0.25%, as the month-on-month increase in export pricing provided modest additional support, transmitting some further strength into spot pricing during the month.

Bangladesh: Bulk Cement Import Prices CIF- Chittagong from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Grade- Type I

In Q1 2026, Cement prices in Bangladesh recorded a notably firmer movement of approximately 2.06%, as escalating clinker import costs and surging maritime freight expenses intensified by the ongoing Middle East conflict exerted strong upward forces on the market, while severe overcapacity and subdued construction demand broadly tempered the positive momentum.

The industry continued operating well below half of effective capacity, with producers implementing multiple rounds of price increases to offset rising raw material and logistics costs, even as cement and steel sales reportedly dropped by more than a third in certain months.

The cement price trend in Bangladesh reflected a cautiously firming environment, where buyers navigated elevated cost-side pressures alongside modest recovery in activity following national elections.

Prices remained broadly supported by persistent clinker cost escalation and freight disruptions. In March 2026, Cement prices in Bangladesh rose by around 0.81%, as clinker imports climbed sharply and the lagged pass-through of import cost pressures transmitted further strength into CIF assessments during the month.

Malaysia: Bulk Cement Import Prices CIF- Port Klang from Vietnam, Malaysia, Grade- Type I

In Q1 2026, Cement prices in Malaysia recorded a notably firmer movement of approximately 2.27%, as robust infrastructure and data centre project pipelines under multi-year development plans exerted upward forces, with logistics cost escalations amplified by the Middle East conflict broadly reinforcing the positive trend.

The Cement price trend in Malaysia reflected a firming environment where producers implemented successive price increases across January through March, with buyers progressively absorbing these adjustments as construction activity remained busy.

Cement prices are broadly supported by strong demand from civil engineering works, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, and sustained non-residential construction, even as the residential segment moderated.

In March 2026, Cement prices in Malaysia rose by around 0.89%, as fuel and freight cost pressures intensified and the monthly cement unit price index climbed across all regions, transmitting further strength into CIF assessments during the month

Philippines: Bulk Cement Import Prices CIF- Manila from Vietnam, Philippines, Grade- Type I

In Q1 2026, Cement prices in the Philippines recorded a notably firmer movement of approximately 2.23%, as escalating fuel and logistics costs amplified by the Middle East conflict exerted upward forces on the market, while a definitive three-year safeguard duty on imported cement, imposed in January, further underpinned landed cost assessments.

The cement price trend in the Philippines reflected a firming environment where buyers and producers navigated mounting cost-side pressures and constrained import supply, with staggered producer price increases phased across the quarter to offset rising energy and freight expenses.

Cement prices remained broadly supported by tightening maritime fuel costs, safeguard-related import restrictions, and the gradual pass-through of higher operational expenses throughout the cement supply chain.

In March 2026, Cement prices in the Philippines rose by around 0.87%, as the second wave of phased price adjustments took effect mid-month and the Middle East conflict intensified logistics cost pressures, transmitting robust strength into spot pricing during the month.