South Indian cement producers have started exporting to Myanmar

Cement producers in southern India have begun exporting to Myanmar as a result of harsh market conditions and decreased domestic demand. After successfully entering into the Sri Lankan export market, manufacturers such as Dalmia Bharat Cement Ltd, The India Cements Ltd, Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd and Ramco Cements Ltd have started testing the market in Myanmar.

Vipin Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer (South) of Dalmia Cements, told local press that demand in south India has fallen and cement producers in the region are operating at around 55% of their rated capacities. The two largest markets, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, witnessed negative growth in the past year and the market in Kerala remained flat. Dalmia started shipments of approximately 10 000 to 12 000 t to Myanmar in January 2014 in an attempt to boost sales. The company exports cement from the port at Tuticorin in southern Tamil Nadu.

Ramco Cements has also begun exporting to Myanmar from Karaikal Port, which is located near to the company’s Alathiyur plant in northern Tamil Nadu. The Chief Executive Officer of Ramco Cements, A V Dharmakrishnan, reported that the company has exported around 40 000 t of cement to Myanmar to date.

Edited from various sources by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/asia-pacific-rim/03022014/south_indian_cement_producers_have_started_exporting_to_myanmar_684/