There are still shortages in cement despite a recent shipment from Venezuela.
Late last month the government extended a waiver for the Common External Tariff on cement to one year, to allow the importation of extra-regional supplies.
Stabroek Business understands that a large shipment of Venezuelan cement this week allowed many retail outlets to replenish their stock. The Venezuelan cement is being retailed for at least $210 more than the Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) brand.
This week, Anral Investment Ltd imported a small shipment of 15,000 sacks of TCL cement and is retailing this for $1040.
However, customers are rationed to 35 sacks each until a much larger shipment arrives on Monday. A source from Anral noted that the cement situation should be getting back to normal but could not say if the cement prices would remain stable.
Yesterday Toolsie Persaud Ltd., did not have cement in stock and officials there could not be reached to say when the product would be available. Last week, TPL was selling a bag at $1030, some of which was extra-regional cement.
Stabroek Business understands that a hold up in production at TCL's Barbados and Trinidad plants has also added to shortages.
Tony Amres, from Readymix Concrete Ltd., explained that although he has sufficient cement at the moment the situation is as such that you may get cement this week and none next week. Amres says the suppliers cannot give any assurances as to when the supply would stabilise.
Construction has begun at the Guyana National Industrial Company Inc.(GNIC) to build a cement bagging plant and this is expected to ease the shortage.