CEMENT SHORTAGE HIT ZIMBABWE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Zimbabwe hit by cement shortage which has result to resident looking for black market.

Zimbabwe is facing a major challenge with cement production with resident now resorting to buy the black market products. Meanwhile, a survey show that PPC and Lafarge were out of stock. It also shows that in most retail outlets and building material warehouses that cement are not available.

PPC and Lafarge are the most producer of cement in Zimbabwe. The two companies control more than 70 percent of the country’s cement market while Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Company controls 25% of the country cement distribution.

Sino-Zimbabwe Cement sales manager Ibiam Sengwe said “I am not aware that there is shortage of cement in the country. He also said As far as we are concerned, we are moving the product to the market and there is no shortage.”

Zimbabwe currently has a demand of about 1,3 million tonnes of cement annually. Meanwhile local producers have a combined capacity of producing around 1,6 million tonnes per year.

Concrete and Cement Institute of Zimbabwe member, Monday Moyo said”I have received calls from people enquiring on that (shortage). He also said Maybe it is because in summer there is high uptake of cement.”

The shortage of cement could have far-reaching implications on the construction industry. It will also affect the National Railways of Zimbabwe as they have placed an order for more than 10 000 concrete rail sleepers for its track rehabilitation exercise.

 

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