Zambezi Portland Cement Limited (ZPC) has reduced its export sales by 50 per cent, effective from 1 August  2013, to cater for the increased demand of the product on the local market.

ZPC sales and marketing manager Isaac Ngoma announced in a statement in Ndola yesterday that the company which had been exporting more than 14,000tpm of cement to neighbouring countries, will now reduce exports by half.

Mr Ngoma explained that, with unprecedented levels of demand being experienced within the country, export sales will now be limited to 7000tpm.

He said the many construction projects being undertaken in various areas have led to an increased demand in the product unseen in recent times.

“For us, the Zambian market is our first priority and only the excess product is sold abroad, so with demand reaching an all time high locally, we see little sense in continuing to service foreign markets while starving the local market,” Mr Ngoma said.

ZPC has a cement capacity of 1400tpd and is currently producing at over 95 per cent of the installed capacity. “The company produces EN 42.5N quality cement which is in conformity to both local and international standards due to quality and we pledge to continue raising the standards of construction in the country by providing this product,” he said.