CNI News

22 May 2025

During the ongoing reconstruction work after the powerful earthquake in Myanmar, cement, a key requirement, is not available due to too high demand, construction entrepreneurs told CNI News. 

Some construction material stores only sell cement if you buy other building materials together, a construction entrepreneur told CNI News.

" Cement is not hard to buy. It can't be bought. All cement-related businesses have been delayed. Some shops sell a bag of cement for 40,000 kyats in the market, while others sell it for 35,000 kyats. We buy it on the black market as it is convenient. Before the earthquake, it was around 17,000, 18,000 kyats. You can buy about 20 bags of cement if you buy other construction materials together," he said.

While seeing a building that has collapsed due to the earthquake

Currently, cement is reportedly difficult to purchase in earthquake-hit Mandalay and Sagaing. The SAC is taking action against 62 construction material stores that raised cement prices in the market last April, in accordance with existing laws. 

Cement is essential not only for reconstruction in earthquake-affected areas but also for patching up homes and buildings that have suffered minor cracks.

Currently, only cement is in high demand, while other building materials are operating normally, U Maung Maung, chairman of Shwe Gabar Maung Maung construction business, told CNI News.

"This happens when demand is high and sales are low. When there are many cracks in buildings here and there. The number of people using cement is increasing. This is especially true in Mandalay, Sagaing and Nay Pyi Taw, where demand is high. Some people buy and use as much as they need at market prices. What should we do then?

While seeing a truck carrying cement

In fact, the price of cement is not normal. They are calculating it in dollar price. At present, in our view, only cement is in very high demand. The rest of the construction materials are circulating normally," he said.

Nine cement factories in Myanmar were producing 30,700 tonnes (614,000 bags) per day before the earthquake. 

However, after the earthquake, six factories were producing 17,100 tons (342,000 bags) of cement per day, and production was increased to 22,100 tons (442,000 bags) on May 15, said the Union Minister for Industry.

He also said that the price of a bag of cement has been set at 17,000 kyats per bag for sale by relevant factories to earthquake-affected buildings.