By Yoon Satt - Apr 29, 2025

Cement prices have surged to over 40,000 kyats per bag and are becoming difficult to purchase in the market, forcing some construction projects to come to a halt, according to industry workers.

"We were still paying 38,000 kyats per bag as of yesterday. Contractors can’t afford to work at these prices. Owners have to buy the materials, and daily workers only continue if the homeowners provide them. Plasterers and other laborers are left without work if they don’t. Many are stopping because the cement price just doesn’t add up," said a labor leader working on a daily wage basis.

The increase in cement prices and shortages began before the Thingyan holidays. Some construction projects without stockpiles are now suspended.

The earthquake on March 28 affected 57 townships nationwide, damaging over 60,000 homes as well as many government offices and religious buildings, according to official reports. Out of the country’s nine cement factories, three stopped operations due to the earthquake, leading to reduced production and heightened demand.

"We can’t stop. The homeowner is providing the cement. Three bags came in at 38,000 kyats each yesterday. It’s a three-storey building, so we have to keep working. But I’ve heard some other sites are paused," said another construction worker.

The military council had set the retail price for a bag of cement at 17,000 kyats and had launched inspections and crackdowns on cement sales, resulting in restricted market availability.