SAND PRICES INCREASE UP TO 3.8 PCT IN APRIL - DOSM

PUTRAJAYA, May 9 (Bernama) -- The unit price index of sand recorded an increase between 0.1 per cent to 3.8 per cent for almost all areas in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak in April 2025 as compared to the previous month, according to the Special Release for Building and Structural Works April 2025 report released today by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the highest increase was recorded in Pahang with 3.8 per cent, followed by Perak at 2.9 per cent, while Johor and Kuching both recorded a 1.6 per cent increase.

Apart from that, Mohd Uzir said the unit price index of steel fell between 0.1 per cent to 3.4 per cent in April 2025 as compared to the previous month with the highest decrease recorded in Pulau Pinang, Kedah, Perlis and Kota Kinabalu, all falling 3.4 per cent, followed by Pahang at 0.8 per cent and Kuching at 0.6 per cent. 

"The unit price index of this material has recorded a decline for four consecutive months," he said in a statement here today.

Mohd Uzir said the unit price index of steel and metal sections also registered a slight decrease of between 0.1 per cent to 2.6 per cent for almost all areas in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak in April 2025 as compared to the previous month with the highest decrease of the material was recorded in Perak which fell 2.6 per cent.

Meanwhile, the price index per unit of cement remained unchanged as compared to the previous month for almost all areas in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. 

"On the contrary, the unit price index for this material recorded a slight decrease in several areas, namely Sandakan with a 1.3 per cent fall, followed by Perak and Kuching at 0.2 per cent, respectively.

Mohd Uzir said the average price per unit of steel, consisting of mild steel round bars and Mycon 60 high tensile deformed bars, recorded a slight decrease of 0.4 per cent with an average price of RM3,490.80 per tonne as compared to RM3,505.30 per tonne in March 2025. 

He said the downward trend in the material price aligns with the downward trajectory of iron and iron ore commodity prices in the global market.

Meanwhile, the average price of Ordinary Portland cement showed a slight increase at 0.2 per cent, with an average price of RM23.70 per 50 kg bag as compared to RM23.60 per 50 kg bag in March 2025.

-- BERNAMA