Chinese imports lower Costa Rica’s cement price by 20%

Construction costs in Costa Rica are lower due to the import of Chinese cement, according to local news service La Republica. Chinese imports retail at around 20 per cent below cement produced locally by Cemex and Holcim. However, to date the imported cement has not received certification of compliance with domestic standards although initial samples have proved positive.

Cement is imported from Sinocem via local company JCB. Sinocem exports nearly 2Mta to various destinations.

Cement imports into Costa Rica were made possible last February when the government lifted the requirement that cement was to be sold within 45 days of production. The Costa Rican market currently requires around 1.5Mta of cement.