JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Association of Indonesian Ceramic Producers (Asaki) reported a 5% decline of national ceramic production, to 160-179 meter cubic (m2) in first half of 2916, along with the weakness of property industry, the biggest sector to absorb ceramic.
In 2015, national ceramic production dropped 25%. The low demand from other sector, apart from property, also affected the jump in inventory side (ceramic stockpile).
The weak demand for ceramic is also hit by the increase in production cost, mainly energy cost, which covers 30-40% of total production cost. Currently, the averge gas price is US$9.1 per mmbtu, far high compared to US$4 per mmbtu of other countries.