A lack of foreign currency is causing the recent shortage of cement in Zimbabwe, according to Edith Matekaire, Commercial Director at Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe, as cement companies lack the necessary foreign reserves to maintain production.
“Today, what we are experiencing are issues to do with FOREX in relation to our ability to maintain and keep our production running at optimum capacity,” Matekaire told local media. "What this therefore means is that we have delays in kiln shutdowns. Normally, these have to happen at specific times, otherwise if they happen during the peak period then we will begin to experience the shortage that we have.”
Zimbabwe has installed capacity of 2.4 million tpy with demand of only 1.3 million t. Despite this, retailers have run short of cement, prompting a spike in prices. The industry is dominated by Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe, PPC Zimbabwe, and Sino Zimbabwe Cement.