So far this year, the growth of Bolivia’s construction sector has caused a cement supply deficit of 10 per cent. As a result, the government has imported 30,000t and is prepared to contract a further 60,000t.


Commenting on the situation, Minister of Public Works and Housing Services, Wálter Delgadillo has said domestic production capacity: "does not cover the monthly growth of 10%", which at year-end "can be up to 20% - in the construction sector."


According to data from the Bolivian Institute of Cement and Concrete (IBCH), demand for cement in the first three months of the year grew by 11.53%. The departments which saw demand increase the most are Pando (39.93%), La Paz (29%), Oruro (28.09%) and Tarija (17.89%). Cement imports from private companies reached the 7,045t and clinker (raw material) 51,100t.