Cement sales in local markets rose by 2 percent to 4.19 million tons in October of the current year compared to 4.13 million tons in the same period last year, according to local media quoting a specialized report.

The volume of cement produced by Saudi cement companies reached 4.23 million tons against 4.22 million tons in the comparable periods, the report, based on data released by Yamamah Cement Co. (YCC), said.

According to the report, production of clinker, one of major raw material for cement, soared by 19 percent in October 2013 to reach 4.74 million tons compared to 3.98 million tons in October 2012.

Local deliveries of clinker reached 54,000 tons in October, which were exclusively made by the Northern Region Cement Co. (NRCC) whereas the volume of cement imports reached 15,000 tons, which were imported by two companies — Madinah Cement Co. (MCC) and Safwa Cement Co. (SCCO), at 12,000 tons and 3,000 tons, respectively, the report said.

Meanwhile, quantities of imported clinker hit 780,000 tons in October 2013 the biggest portion imported by YCC at 182,000 tons, followed by the Arabian Cement Co. (ACC) at 149,000 tons, NRCC at 123,000 tons, Yanbu Cement Co. (YCCO) at 89,000 tons, Saudi Cement Co. (SCC) at 55,000 tons, Najran Cement Co. (NCC) at 46,000 tons, the Eastern Province Cement Co. (EPCC) at 41,000 tons, and SCCO and Riyadh Cement Co. (RCC) at 37,000 tons and 10,000 tons, respectively, the report said.

On the other hand, the volume of exported clinker in October rose by 9 percent to reach 36,000 tons compared to 33,000 tons in October. The above quantities were exported by two companies — SCC and the EPCC at 24,000 tons and 12,000 tons, respectively.

An earlier report said the volume of cement exports fell by 55 percent to 245,000 tons in the first nine months of the current year compared to 547,000 tons in the same period last year.

The Saudi cement firms imported some 39,000 tons in the same period, the report, prepared by Al-Eqtisadiah daily, said.

The Saudi cement companies imported 1,925,000 tons of clinker in the first nine months of 2013 compared to 399,000 tons in the same period last year, or an increase of 382.4 percent, according to the report.