The price of cement packaging in Iran has increased by 117 per cent from late-2017, according to Mohammad Ali Bod, member of the Iranian Cement Industry Employers' Association. The cost of packaging for a 50kg cement bag has risen from IRR8500 (US$0.2) to IRR18,500, with the surge negatively impacting producers.

“Some plants will have to stop operating if the country doesn’t take necessary steps to resolve this problem,” said Mr Bod.