Tijuana cement storage raises safety concerns

Reporting and context

Photographs of cement storage sites in Tijuana show hundreds of sacks exposed to poor storage conditions after rains from Tropical Storm Rachel, according to Jornada Baja California. The October 22 report raises concerns about moisture damage alongside the sale of adulterated or uncertain-origin cement outside authorized distribution channels, locally called “cemento huachicol.”

The images show large outdoor stockpiles covered with tarps and equipment at the site. The source captions identify Cemento Cachanilla hoppers, linking the brand to Marco Antonio Santacruz, owner of Constructora Makro S.A. de C.V., and equipment from Trituasfaltos S.A. de CV. The photographs document storage conditions; they do not establish the composition of the material.

Jornada Baja California reported that José María Barroso Ramírez, president of the National Cement Chamber, Canacem, warned in April that adulterated cement was becoming more common nationally. He said it was sold in quantities ranging from one-kilogram packages to 50-kilogram sacks, generally mixed with limestone. The chamber has not published official figures on the market’s size. The article cites economic-loss estimates without identifying their source or measurement period.

Concrete supplier BC Concretos separately warned builders, contractors and consumers about uncertain-origin materials circulating in Tijuana and Rosarito, urging them to check batches, invoices and authorized distributors. In August, a committee of Congress’s Permanent Commission called on consumer protection agency Profeco to investigate and curb the sales.

The report cites guidance from the Mexican Cement and Concrete Institute, IMCYC, explaining that moisture and poor storage can cause clumping, altered setting and reduced concrete strength. A 2026 guide by engineer Roberto Uribe Afif addresses preserving cement quality during storage. Another institute guide recommends keeping 25- or 50-kilogram sacks on pallets 10 to 20 centimeters above the ground, away from exterior walls and stacked no more than 10 sacks high.

The institute classifies rain-soaked sacks, damp ground contact and use of hardened, clumped cement without assessment as critical risks. Outdoor storage beneath tarps alone is classified as high risk. Deterioration can lead to cracks, leaks, reinforcement corrosion and structurally vulnerable construction, the report explains.

Canacem recommends buying from authorized distributors and checking manufacturers’ guarantee seals and compliance with Mexican standards. Its advice is to avoid suspiciously cheap or unbranded sacks and unprotected storage, and report concerns to Profeco.

Original report: Jornada Baja California.