Argentina: The Ministry of Internal Trade has secured an agreement from national building materials producers, including Loma Negra and Cemento Avellaneda, to restrict the price of building products such as cement. The Clarín newspaper has reported that average building materials prices rose by 85% year-on-year in May 2021, nearly double the inflation rate. The primary cause is a rise in domestic construction. Currency effects have further increased the cost of building due to the dollarization of materials such as steel.
The ministry previously negotiated concerted price reductions in September 2020 and December 2020. Minister for Internal Trade Paula Español urged building materials producers to maximise their capacity utilisation to meet demand and protect the domestic market.
