Harare – Pretoria Portland Cement Zimbabwe (PPC) in a statement to customers and stakeholders on Wednesday said the current cement shortages obtaining in the country is temporary and it has the ability to supply the existing market with quality products.

PPC said the cement industry in the country has the capacity to produce over 2 million tons of cement per annum, adequate to satisfy the current market demand estimated at 1.3 million tons.

The cement maker said it is currently operating at peak capacity utilisation following the planned annual kiln maintenance undertaken in July 2018 at its Colleen Bawn factory in preparation for the increased demand anticipated towards the latter part of the year.

PPC Zimbabwe Managing Director, Kelibone Masiyane said the company remains committed to support government’s infrastructure development programme and its loyal customers.

“While we cannot speculate about other industry players, I would like to assure the market that PPC Zimbabwe factories have the ability to supply the existing market with quality products.

“As a reflection of our commitment to Zimbabwe, we commissioned $85 million Harare milling plant in March 2017 in anticipation of upsurge in cement demand. This investment has allowed us to fully serve the growing northern market of Zimbabwe better and more efficiently.”

Due to the annual maintenance works at the producers’ plants traders had taken advantage of the shortage caused by increasing the price of cement from $11 per 50kg bag to $50 which did not go down well with customers and government’s initiative of infrastructure development.

Masiyane denounced the move and appealed to customers to avoid panic buying as it will further escalate the situation.

“With regards to escalated cement prices in the market, PPC Zimbabwe can assure customers and other stakeholders that our factory prices have not increased since April 2012 in support of the country’s developmental objectives. As a company, we appeal to our customers to avoid panic buying as this is likely compound the situation.

“We are continuously engaging our retailers, to act responsibly with regards to the cement pricing in the market. We further advice customers to procure their cement requirements from our approved stockists.”

Masiyame added that the company has implemented various iniatives, to mitigate the liquidity situation in the country.

“These initiatives include exporting 2 percent of our production capacity to neighbouring countries, and local sourcing of input materials to ensure that the domestic cement supply is not compromised.”

Since last week the country has been plagued by a shortage of cement, leaving the construction industry stranded, while in some instances resorting to the black market.

In most retail outlets and building material warehouses, PPC and Lafarge who control more than 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s cement market were out of stock.

Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Company has about 25 percent market share.

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