Last week, East China still experienced frequent rainfall, and the growth in market demand dropped significantly. Affected by this, cement and clinker prices in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui successively declined, and cement prices in many parts of Fujian also fell; high-grade cement prices in Shanghai were also lowered due to objective impacts such as port restrictions. The market in Jiangxi and Shandong remained stable last week.
Jiangsu: Regional cement and clinker prices successively declined. Affected by rainfall and insufficient market demand growth, since late April, most manufacturers in Nantong, Jiangsu have lowered ex-factory prices of 32.5-grade and 42.5-grade cement by 20-30 yuan/ton. The cement market in Yancheng also showed weakness. In mid-to-early May, the ex-factory price of 42.5-grade cement in the local market cumulatively dropped by about 30 yuan/ton, while 32.5-grade cement prices remained stable. Currently, the mainstream ex-factory listed price of P.O42.5 bulk cement for local sales in Yancheng is 350-360 yuan/ton.
In addition, recently the Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou area has faced significant inventory pressure, with inventory levels basically maintained above 70-80%, and some areas facing full inventory pressure. Affected by this, some cement prices in the local market have fallen by about 10 yuan/ton.
Due to poor cement sales, clinker procurement by grinding enterprises has also significantly decreased. To reduce inventory, some manufacturers in southern Jiangsu have successively lowered clinker prices by about 10 yuan/ton recently. As the cement market continues to weaken, local authorities may further increase regional kiln shutdown efforts.
Zhejiang: Insufficient demand leads to regional cement price declines. Since May, Hangzhou, Zhejiang has experienced continuous rainy weather, and downstream funds are insufficient, resulting in weak cement demand. Coupled with the continuous rise in cement and clinker inventories in the Hangzhou region, in recent days, Hongshi clinker prices in Tonglu area around Hangzhou have been lowered by 10 yuan/ton, Fuyang Shanya Southern Cement prices have fallen by 10 yuan/ton, and cement prices in Jiande area have also dropped by about 10 yuan/ton. Currently, the mainstream ex-factory price of P.O42.5 bulk cement in the Hangzhou region is 325-330 yuan/ton. 
Fujian: Weakening demand leads to cement price declines in multiple regions. Due to recent rainfall, overall cement demand in Fujian has weakened, and inventories have risen. Since mid-May, cement prices in Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Sanming, and other areas have declined. Some major manufacturers such as Conch, Hongshi, China Resources, and Jinniu have lowered prices of some cement sold to these areas by 10-30 yuan/ton.
Shanghai and Anhui: Cement quotations declined. In Shanghai, due to the CICA Summit and China-Russia military exercises, port transportation was restricted, and some raw material supplies were tight. Coupled with insufficient downstream funds, high-grade cement prices in Shanghai were lowered by 30 yuan/ton recently.
According to feedback from the China Cement Network Market Data Center, recently clinker prices along the Yangtze River in Anhui have declined, with ex-factory prices of clinker sold to northern Jiangsu at only about 240 yuan/ton. Meanwhile, cement quotations from manufacturers in the Chaohu area of Anhui have fallen by 20 yuan/ton, either openly or covertly, mainly reflected in the reduction of ex-factory prices for 42.5-grade cement. Currently, the mainstream ex-factory price of P.O42.5 bulk cement in the Chaohu area is 280-300 yuan/ton.
Jiangxi and Shandong: Market temporarily stable. Last week, Jiangxi was still rainy. In the Fuzhou area, Southern and Hongshi cement saw light trading after price increases in mid-month, while some enterprises in the Ganzhou area increased discounts by about 5-10 yuan/ton to boost sales. Overall prices in the province remained stable.
Shandong's weather improved recently, cement manufacturers' quotations are basically stable, and the overall market is operating smoothly.
Related industry information at a glance:
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