Cement Manufacturers in Ghana Warn of Price Hike Over Clinker Delays at Ports

Cement manufacturers in Ghana have cautioned that cement prices could rise in the coming weeks due to prolonged delays in the clearance of clinker shipments at the nation’s ports.

According to industry sources, consignments of clinker—an essential raw material used in cement production—have been held up for weeks at Tema Port and Takoradi Port, disrupting production schedules and increasing operational costs for manufacturers.

Industry representatives say the delays stem from a combination of port congestion, lengthy customs processes, and logistical bottlenecks, which have led to demurrage charges and higher handling costs. Manufacturers warn that if the situation persists, these additional costs will inevitably be passed on to consumers.

“Clinker is the backbone of cement production. When shipments are delayed at the ports, factories are forced to slow down operations or incur extra costs to keep plants running,” an industry source said. “Unfortunately, this puts pressure on cement prices.”

The warning comes at a time when demand for cement remains strong, driven by ongoing public infrastructure projects and private construction across the country. Any increase in cement prices is expected to have a ripple effect on the construction sector, potentially raising the cost of housing and other building projects.

Stakeholders in the cement industry have therefore appealed to port authorities and relevant government agencies to urgently address the bottlenecks, streamline clearance procedures, and improve turnaround times at the ports.

Analysts note that Ghana’s reliance on imported clinker exposes the cement industry to port-related disruptions and foreign supply risks. They argue that long-term solutions should include increased local clinker production and improved logistics planning to cushion the industry against future shocks.

For now, manufacturers say they are monitoring the situation closely, but caution that unless the clinker delays are resolved promptly, a cement price hike may be unavoidable.