Cement Prices Surge as Clinker Shortage Deepens Across Ghana
Retailers are losing customers and revenue as the shortage of key cement brands deepens amid a critical clinker supply shortage.
- Major cement brands like SOL, Empire, and Dzata are in short supply
- Retailers are struggling with higher cement prices
- Retailers and industry leaders are urging the government to intervene
Cement retailers across Ghana are grappling with a growing shortage of popular cement brands, as a critical clinker scarcity threatens to disrupt supply chains.
The shortage, which has intensified over the past two to four weeks, has made brands like SOL Cement, Empire Cement, and Dzata Cement increasingly difficult to find.
This comes amid a recent GH¢9 price hike on all cement products, largely due to rising port charges.
Retailers are feeling the immediate impact, with some forced to turn away customers and face significant revenue losses as suppliers struggle to secure enough clinker. Augustine Aduful, a seasoned cement dealer, shared his frustration, saying, “The shortage happens often. I paid for SOL Cement two weeks ago, but when I called yesterday, I was told my delivery would be delayed for another two weeks.”
Isaac Frimpong, another dealer, reported being out of stock of the 32.5R grade of Ghacem cement for weeks, prompting some customers to switch to alternatives like Diamond Cement. He called on the government to intervene, highlighting the role of overseas supply issues in the clinker shortage and price hikes.
Emmanuel Cherry, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry, is advocating for a broad stakeholder dialogue to find local solutions to the clinker crisis. He emphasized the need for the country to explore alternatives, such as utilizing local raw materials and leveraging research from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Building and Road Research Institute (CSIR-BRRI).
The ongoing shortage has sparked a nationwide debate on Ghana’s dependence on imported clinker and the need for sustainable solutions in its cement supply chain.
