In January the prices of construction materials in Venezuela increased 2.5 per cent largely as a result from a rise in prices in the steel and cement sectors.
Statistics from the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV), showing the wholesale price index of construction materials, shows that in one month cement prices increased 13.4 per cent.
According to BCV figures, in 12 months cement prices accumulated a 28.1 per cent. In December, the government authorised an 80 per cent increase in the value of the bag of cement rising rom VEB8.30 (price fixed in 2003) to VEB15-20.
The state controls 90% of cement production and due to the official housing plans, priorities have been set in the allocation of the material.
Source: El Universal, Venezuela
