Petrol hike sends price of building materials up

Prices for many building materials at city stores have gone up by 10-30 percent.

Rolled steel currently cost VND22-23 million (US$1,290-1,350) per ton, up VND1.5-2 million (US$88-US$118).

Concrete and rocks of 1-2 cm in diameter cost VND220,000 (US$13) per cubic meter, up VND10,000 (US$0.60). Hollow bricks are up by VND1,100 to VND1,200 (US$0.06-0.07) per brick.

Dong Tam or Viglacera paving bricks have experienced even greater price increases. An A-type box which previously cost only VND109,000 (US$6.40) now costs VND136,000 (US$8) and a B-type box which previously cost VND98,000 (US$5.70) is now VND165,000 (US$9.60) per box.

The prices of ceramics, wall paints, electric facilities and other interior decoration materials have risen by about 20-30 percent.

The increase in the prices of building materials covers the increased expense of transportation, according to some shop owners.

Factories have continued to sell materials at the same prices. The recent price increase is a result of retailers re-adjusting their expenses after the price of petrol increased.

VNN

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