Cement sales were marginally up by 0.23 per cent at 12.71 million tonnes (mt) in September against 12.68 mt registered in the same period last year, according to data released by the Cement Manufacturers' Association. The production in September was at 12.72 mt (12.67 mt).
Cement sales and production during the first half of this fiscal was up two per cent each at 82.68 mt (81.22 mt) and 83.24 mt (81.69 mt), it said.
The tapering demand was more pronounced in the five per cent drop in sales when compared on a sequential basis. Cement sales were at 13.43 mt in August. The drop in sales was despite companies cutting down output by seven per cent compared to 13.65 mt produced in August.