Government Reports Cement Supply Has Stabilised After Post-Melissa Shortage

The Government says Jamaica’s cement shortage has eased, with supply now able to meet current demand across the construction sector.

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Mr. Hill gave the assurance at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, nearly eight months after Category Five Hurricane Melissa. Rebuilding work continues in Western Jamaica, where damaged homes, roads and culverts have kept pressure on building materials—especially cement.

Mr. Hill said many residents are replacing roofs with concrete slabs rather than metal sheeting, which has added to consumption. Early on, sales fell sharply as communities focused on clearing streets and reopening small shops, but demand later outpaced supply as recovery accelerated.

Cabinet therefore directed additional allocations to priority users while importers expanded shipments. Mr. Hill said the market is returning toward balance, with established cement firms bringing in larger volumes and new importers putting arrangements in place.

He cautioned that demand remains uneven. When the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NARA) rolls out major projects, cement needs will spike and then taper once works finish. Officials are planning separate supply measures for that phase, outside the current import allocation.

Mr. Hill also noted that the local cement producer has invested heavily in the sector, including roughly US$40 million to US$60 million in the past year and more than US$100 million in total, to strengthen domestic production capacity.