As the Bolivian cement market surged 24 per cent YoY in 2H14, the domestic cement industry was able to increase output by 15 per cent. However, much has changed as the sector invested in new plants and pushed up production to improve the supply-demand balance.

Corporación Boliviana del Cemento (Coboce) now produces around 70,000 bags per day to supply its markets of Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, La Paz and Beni. This follows an investment of US$100m in a new plant at Cochabamba.

"The new facility will enable us to supply the domestic market, therefore we expect to expand this year from other investments to maximise our production even up to 100,000 bags/day," said Rolando Alcázar, commercial director at Coboce.

Fancesa is investing US$245m in a new plant in Sucre and a parallel mill in Santa Cruz, which ensures the production of 1.9m bags per month.

Itacamba will also be raising output to 190,000t this year, following a 28 per cent YoY rise last year when production reached 170,000t.  The company’s new works at Yacuses is expected to come on-stream in 2H16. An extra 58,000 bags will be delivered, mainly to the east of the country and particularly the Santa Cruz market.