adminMukudzei Chingwere Midlands Correspondent
GIANT cement manufacturer PPC Zimbabwe says it is prioritising supplies of its products to retailers who have not hiked prices and are accepting all forms payment while limiting supplies to those demanding payment in US banknotes to stem price distortions.
Cheating retailers are charging as much as $40 for a 50kg bag for those using the plastic money up from around $12 while charging $10 if US banknotes are offered.
PPC Zimbabwe Colleen Bawn factory’s general manager Dr Ngangezwe Khumalo confirmed that there are no changes in production as well as pricing for their product for the past six years.
“All the plants are geared for production however, we all know of the two main challenges that we are having in this country that is forex and stable electricity supply,” said Dr Khumalo.
“We are running at full capacity however, we have seen an increase in demand being driven by the construction industry, which caused the shortages in the market. We would like to make it very clear that as cement producers especially as PPC we are still charging old prices from 2012, (either) as bond, Ecocash our prices have not changed.
“We have taken action in trying to limit our supply to wholesalers we know are charging in US$, and we have tried to increase supply to retailers we know are charging in normal prices in the market.”
Online Reporter