Honduras announces cement price freeze during transition to new standards

The Honduran government has announced a deal with the country's leading cement producers to freeze prices for six months in response to concerns that its new technical standards for cement would block imports or stifle competition.

The government announced May 24 an agreement with cement producers CENOSA, Argos, and Duracem to stabilize the market and ease economic anxieties during the regulatory transition, it said. Through independent commitments coordinated by President Nasry Juan Asfura Zablah and SDE leadership, the companies have agreed to freeze cement prices for six months, the government said.

The Secretariat of Economic Development hosted a formal dialogue May 25 to clarify the regulation and address specific complaints from affected sectors that have not been made public.

The government said in several social media posts that the primary aim of the new regulation is to safeguard Honduran consumers by enforcing international quality and safety standards.

The new rules mandate that all cement commercialized in the country — whether domestically produced or imported— must technically demonstrate compliance with international quality, safety, and traceability standards. Officials highlighted that because cement is critical for building housing, hospitals, schools, and highways, enforcing strict quality controls is a matter of public safety.

Under the new technical framework, all market players must now align with international ASTM standards. The regulation requires the mandatory registration of all producers, importers, and marketers. Furthermore, all cement products must undergo testing in accredited laboratories and feature clear Spanish labeling that includes lot numbers, manufacturer details, origin, and registration numbers to ensure full traceability.