Saudi cement sales fall in November

Reports from Saudi Arabia indicate that cement sales contracted by 17% y/y in November, falling to 3.65 million t from 4.37 million t in November 2012. The decline has been attributed to the recent expiration of the amnesty on migrant workers, which ended in many businesses being raided and illegal workers rounded up for deportation.

Riyadh Cement Company and Jouf Cement Company experienced the biggest drop in sales, at 45% and 44% respectively, while Saudi Cement Company and Yamamah Cement Company reportedly posted declines of 21% and 32%, respectively. The loss was not universal, however, with Northern Province Cement Company seeing a 58% jump in sales in November, while Arabian Cement Company and Madinah Cement Company reported 24% and 20% increases respectively.

Clinker production in November rose by 9.19% y/y to 4.75 million t, which was very slightly up month-on-month.

Edited from various sources by Katherine Guenioui

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/africa-middle-east/11122013/saudi_cement_sales_fall_in_november_500/