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Some dealers who rushed to import cement from Zambia following reports of shortages, yesterday said they were stuck with the product.
“We have to finish the PC15 that we bought from Zambia at US$18 because we were charged too much duty. Otherwise, we will run into huge losses,” said a dealer at Magaba, who declined to be named.
Reports from Karoi yesterday said cement prices had gone down from US$20 to US$15.
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A survey yesterday revealed that normalcy was returning to the market as supplies improved.
Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe is now producing 28 000 bags of the cement a day and intends to increase the quantity.
The firm’s plant and performance manager Mr Edison Chakanyuka said their mills were running at full throttle.
“We are currently producing 28 000 bags of cement per day and the market will be flooded soon,” he said.
Last week, production resumed full throttle at Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe, with the company producing between 1 000 and 1 200 tonnes of cement per day.
The company’s officials have continued to urge people to shun dealers selling the product at prohibitive prices.
Cement producers have not increased the price of the product. Their prices remain at US$9,78 for MC (masonry) and US$10,78 for PC15 including VAT.
At retail level, the recommended prices are US$11,50 for MC and US$12,50 for PC15.
Recently, Lafarge managing director Mr Jonathan Shonhiwa urged the nation not to panic over the shortages.
Last week, the firm was producing between 20 000 and 24 000 bags of cement per day, before reaching 28 000 bags yesterday.
Lafarge intends to move the volumes to 32 000 bags per day, which translates to 1 600 tonnes.
The cement shortage had come at a time when the construction industry was beginning to pick.
High cement prices were pushing up building costs.
Charles Duri
Online Reporter