The unit price index of steel recorded an increase between 0.2 per cent to 1.8 per cent for almost all areas in December 2023 as compared to the previous month. The highest increase in the unit price of steel were in Perak (1.8%), followed by Johor (1.1%) and Selangor, W.P. Kuala Lumpur, Melaka & Negeri Sembilan (0.2%).
The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) in its Special Release 2 – For Building and Structural Works, December 2023 today (Jan 12) said a month-on-month comparison of selected construction materials and areas showed the unit price index remained unchanged for selected material such as aggregates, sand and plywood for most areas of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
The unit price index for steel and metal sections also remained unchanged for most areas in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. There was a slight decrease in the price index of this material for Selangor, W.P. Kuala Lumpur, Melaka & Negeri Sembilan (-0.1%), Kota Kinabalu (-0.2%) and Miri (-2.0%). There was a slight increase in the price index of this material in Perak and Kuching, which was 0.1 per cent respectively.
The monthly comparison in December 2023 also recorded that the unit price index for cement remained unchanged for almost all areas in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
An annual comparison for the period of December 2022 and December 2023 showed that the unit price index of cement recorded an increase between 2.8 per cent to 18.9 per cent for all areas in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.
Average Price of Selected Building Materials
The average price per unit of steel, consisting of mild steel round bars and Mycon 60 high tensile deformed bars was RM3,629.77 per metric tonne, recording a slight increase of 0.2 per cent as compared to the previous month (November 2023: RM3,621.24 per metric tonne).
The average price of cement (Ordinary Portland) also recorded a slight increase of 0.2 per cent with an average price of RM23.00 per 50 kg bag as compared to November 2023 (RM22.94 per 50 kg bag).
