Business
Cement prices fall to K180
The price of a 50-kilogramme bag of cement has dropped to around K180, down from a peak of K250 earlier this year, following government intervention to address supply shortages.
Picture: Times of Zambia
Cement prices have fallen sharply in recent months, with a 50-kilogramme bag that was selling for around K250 now available for about K180, while some traders are offering it for as little as K150.
Although prices vary according to brand, strength and location, the reduction follows Government’s engagement with cement manufacturers and other stakeholders to address shortages that had pushed prices upwards.
Early this year, Government, through then Minister of Trade and Commerce Chipoka Mulenga, intensified efforts to address the cement shortage after prices surged in 2025.
Mr Mulenga attributed the shortage to rising demand from the export market and the mining industry and engaged major cement producers, including Sinoma Cement, Zambezi Portland, Chilanga and Dangote, over measures to increase supplies to the local market.
At the time, a 50kg bag of Dangote and Chilanga’s Mpamvu Cement was reported to be selling for as much as K250, compared with about K150 previously.
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A key issue in the discussions was reliable electricity supply to cement manufacturers, with Government assuring producers that the priority given to the mining sector would also be extended to the cement industry.
Mr Mulenga said while exports were beneficial to manufacturers, they should not come at the expense of adequate local supplies and affordable prices.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Trade director Margaret Chikuba said the ministry would continue monitoring cement prices and availability on the local market.
Government’s position has been that increased production, supply and competition should ultimately result in more affordable cement for consumers, particularly contractors, small-scale builders and households whose construction projects were affected by the earlier price increases.
Source: Times of Zambia — Read more
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