Riyadh – Mubasher: Saudi cement companies' sales were down in October by 14.38% to 4.39 million tonnes down from 5.13 million tonnes in the same period in 2015, according to data released by Yamamah Cement.
Production decreased 15.96% year-on-year to 4.37 million tonnes in October 2016 from 5.2 million, whereas inventories were up 2.97% to 1.14 million tonnes by the end of October this year compared to 1.11 million tonnes in the year-ago period.
Of the 15 cement companies mentioned in the report, only two, namely Tabuk Cement and Qassim Cement, reported monthly sales growth by 6.86% and 2.90%, respectively.
Northern Cement posted the biggest sales drop of 48.6% to 110,000 tonnes in October 2016 from 214,000 a year ago. Najran Cement followed with 197,000 tonnes last month, down 44.97% year-on-year from 358,000 tonnes.
Production also fell for both companies by 44.6% and 47.55%, respectively.
Only two firms reported production growth, namely Al Jouf Cement and Tabuk Cement, with 26.8% and 17.86%, respectively, the report stated.
