Cement : 7.1% more expensive

That sounds bad, especially when there are some renovation works going on at my place.

Lafarge (Mauritius) Cement Ltd has decided to increase the prices of their 50kg cement pocket (Baobab) by 7.1%, effective as from today, Monday 15th August 2011. The only competitor on the market, Holcim, said that they will maintain their prices as long as their current stock is not exhausted(till the end of the year, as per their estimates). Holcim also announced that they will soon offer a different product, more suitable for the Mauritian use and also, more cheaper.

So, a Baobab 50kg pocket goes from Rs162.80 to Rs 175.00 (Price at their plant, Port Louis)

Points to note :

• This market has been liberalised on the 8th April 2011, allowing producers to impose their own prices without any control on behalf of authorities. Contraly to the belief, prices did not go down to encourage a more competitive market, at least, not for the time being.
• Prices vary in different regions of the island because of transport costs involved
• Lafarge holds a 55% share of the market and the rest goes to Holcim

Finally, it is not advisable to buy cement in bulk and store it for long period of times.