Cement prices in Lusaka rise, Zambia
Cement prices in Lusaka have shot up by between K35,000 and K40,000 amidst the continued suspension of operations by Lafarge Cement Zambia Plc, the country’s monopoly cement producer.
And the National Construction Council (NCC) has said importing cement to plug the deficit caused by the suspension of operations at Lafarge Cement is not feasible due to increased construction activities in the region.
A snap survey conducted yesterday revealed the scarcity of the Lafarge cement brand while in some cases of availability, the commodity had been hiked from an average price of K55, 000 at the beginning of the week to around K90, 000 per 50 kilogramme pocket.
Lafarge Cement Plc, the country’s largest cement producer suspended operations last Friday after court bailiffs started seizing its properties to execute a High Court ruling which awarded US$13m to CBE for environmental liabilities caused by the giant cement manufacturing company.
Some cement traders talked to said the price hike was inevitable as it was aimed to control the increased demand which was not being met by supplies. Published under Cement News
