As the summer power cuts continue across Libya, with the Tripoli government load shedding policy prioritising supplies to domestic consumers over commercial and industrial users, the average end-user price of locally produced cement has risen sharply since June.
The average cash price of 100 kgs (qintar / two 50 kg bags) of Al-Ittihad factory (Arab Union Construction Company - AUCC) cement rose by 11.5%, or an increase of 8.5 dinars, on Tuesday.
It reached an average 81.5 dinars per 100 kgs, up from an average 73 dinars in mid-June.
The price increase of the Al-Ittihad cement has undoubtedly been affected by the load shedding policy which has led to the total closure of the Mirgib, Soug al-Khamis and Leptis cement factories.
Cement prices vary slightly in Libya depending on the manufacturing factory and the location of their delivery. The bulky nature of cement and their final delivery point affect final end-user prices.
Equally, prices by debit card payment are slightly higher. This reflects the continuing cash shortage crisis in Libya.
It will be noted that despite several cement factories across Libya, the country still imports large quantities of cement from several sources including Tunisia and Algeria.