Pandemic pushes CI sheet price up in Ctg

The prices of corrugated iron (CI) sheets have been increasing in the Chattogram markets thanks to the production shortfall and rising raw material prices caused by the Covid-19, traders said.

Usually, the price of the roofing material spikes every year during the winter season when the demand picks up but this year the price of the material surged more than ever due to Covid-19, according to them.

Retailers, however, claimed that despite adequate stocks in the stores, the manufacturers raised the prices of CI sheets to make windfall profits.

“The price of CI sheet shot up suddenly in mid-November last year,” said Abdus Sabor, a CI sheet trader and owner of M/s Sabor Trading in Asadganj area.

He hinted that the price of the roofing material might increase further this year.

The manufacturers failed to sell the CI sheets during the countrywide lockdown last year, piling up the materials in their stores, said another trader adding that they now demanded higher to make up their losses.

The prices of raw materials of the products increased in the international market, leading to price spikes in the local market, according to an official at KDS Group.

The 42 millimeter thick CI sheet (175 pieces) of good quality was being sold at Tk 80,000-82,000 per tonne to date, which was at Tk 77,000 per tonne two months ago.

The 32 millimeter thick CI sheet (224 pieces) of good quality was being sold at Tk 80,000 per tonne to date, which was at Tk 75,000-76,000 per tonne two months ago.

The prices of good quality CI sheets have increased by Tk4,000-5000 per tonne in the last two months.

Meanwhile, among the CI sheets sold on weights, BRO-class CI sheets are currently being sold at Tk 92,000-93,000 per tonne, which was Tk 85,000 per tonne a month ago.

The B-class CI sheets are being sold at Tk84,000-85,000 per tonne, which were sold at Tk77,000-78,000 per tonne during the period while C-class CI sheets are being sold at Tk75,000 per tonne, which were sold at Tk68,000-69,000.

C-class CI sheets were being sold at Tk68,000-69,000 per tonne in November, which is now being sold at Tk75,000 per tonne.

The prices of CI sheets sold on weight have gone up to Tk 7,000-8,000 per tonne over the last one month.

The CI sheets from PHP (Arabian Horse), KDS (KY Brand), S Alam (Rooster Brand), Abul Khair (Cow Brand), NGS (Laddu Brand), TK Group (Eagle Brand), and Chamon Steel are in high demand in the Chattogram markets.