Fiji-based Pacific Cement Ltd (PCL) has sold approximately 4000t of clinker to local producer Tengy Cement Company Ltd to ensure continued supply of cement on the island.

The move comes following a breakdown of the machinery at Pacific Cement which resulted in the stoppage of cement production.

Tengy is the only other producer on Fiji, operating a 0.3Mta grinding unit.The clinker is being sold by PCL at a cost of US$147/t, Fijivillage newspaper quoted Nouzab Fareed, director of PCL, as saying.

Mr Fareed further added that Pacific Cement has restarted the production of cement but with limited output. He said if repair works are completed as scheduled the company could start start supplying cement again on a small scale. However, he cautioned that imports may be required to satisfy domestic consumption until operations are in full swing. Speaking to the Fiji Sun, Mr Fareed estimates that some 35,000-40,000t of cement may need to be imported in the next three months to satisfy demand in the local retail markets.