BUA cement company Plc has distance itself from the recent increment in cement price to the tune of N260 by Dangote cement. According to the management of BUA, “we are compelled to release this statement following requests from our distributors and customers seeking clarification as to whether BUA also intends to increase the price of its cement. This is in view of a purported increase of N260 by another major Cement producer – Dangote Cement.
“We are now aware that Dangote Cement has increased the price of its Cement (ex-factory) by N260 effective Monday, June 14, 2021.
“BUA is not a part of this increase and will not seek to increase the price of its cement (ex-factory) in the foreseeable future.
“BUA, therefore, restates its earlier position communicated on April 24, 2021, that it will not join in any increase in the prices of Cement for the foreseeable future” the statement reads.
The Management continue, “Whilst we believe it is the prerogative of any company in a free-market economy to determine the prices of their products as they deem fit, based on their urgent business needs, our position not to increase our own prices is anchored on the following:
“We are aware of the feedback and outcry from the public, and the government on the high retail price of cement in a period of economic recovery. BUA is also of the firm belief that the current retail prices of Cement are higher than normal, hence our earlier communication not to increase ex-factory prices in the foreseeable future.
“Since our last communication to our customers and the public, we have noticed a slight decline in the price of cement due to the commencement of the rainy season – during which demand is reduced. We believe that any further increase in prices will hamper a continuous downward trend as well as hamper a normalization/stabilization of prices of the commodity.
“As a responsible corporate entity, we refuse and reject associations with any actions that are deemed capable of projecting any industry we operate in as a cartel. Hence, whilst we respect that the said company has decided to increase their prices, we are not questioning the reason(s) why, but would like to make clear BUA’s position on a price increase”.
BUA said “the Timing is not right for any increase on BUA’s part, and we do not have any justifiable business reason to increase our prices (ex-factory) anytime soon.
We hope that despite this producer’s price increase, the overall retail price of cement and a current downward trend in prices will not be affected negatively,” they concluded.
Currently, a bag of Dangote cement is sold at N3500 a retailer’s price.