Holcim raises cement prices in Mauritius

Holcim raised its price of a 50kg bag in Mauritius to MUR211.60 or US$6.86 (delivery to Port-Louis). In other parts of the island, a premium of around MUR5-10 is paid to trucking costs.

The island’s other supplier Lafarge, last raised its prices in April 2012 and a 50kg bag, for delivery to Port-Louis, of their cement costs MUR195.50.

In the recent past, the State Trading Corporation stopped importing cement, leaving the two cement producers with a clear field to expand their business. This has raised duopoly concerns locally, fearing a lack of sufficient competition will impact negatively on the consumer.

“We believe that the Competition Commission should closely monitor developments and ensure that there is not an attempt to cartelise at the expense of those who build their individual units,” said Suttyhudeo Tengur of the local news service L’Express.