RIYADH: Domestic cement sales in Saudi Arabia increased 11.6 percent, but dropped 4.3 percent on monthly basis to 4.68 million tons in April 2012 whereas local clinker sales rose to 144,000 tons against 135,000 tons in March 2012, according to a report by NCB Capital.
Saudi cement exports in April-12 stood at 63,000 tons from 65,000 tons in March-12, a drop of 3.1 percent MoM. No company reported clinker exports for April-12, the report said. Three companies exported cement during the month - Saudi Cement, Eastern Cement and Riyadh Cement.
Domestic sales
In April domestic sales of cement grew by 11.6 percent YoY to 4.68 million tons. The four private companies saw a 0.2 percent YoY decrease in domestic cement sales, while the listed firms reported an increase of 14.6 percent YoY.
On a MoM basis, domestic cement sales decreased by 4.3 percent compared to the 4.89 million tons in March-12. Apart from Yanbu Cement and Aljouf Cement, all companies reported a decrease on a MoM basis. Among the listed companies, Yanbu Cement reported the highest MoM increase of 17.1 percent, while Yamamah Cement reported decline of 10.8 percent.
On a YoY basis, Northern Cement reported the highest increase of 54.0 percent, followed by Yanbu Cement and Saudi Cement with 43.2 percent and 36.9 percent increase respectively. Najran Cement, Tabuk Cement, Aljouf Cement and Qassim Cement reported a YoY decline of 30.8 percent, 10.6 percent, 8.7 percent and 1.8 percent respectively in domestic sales.
Exports
The Kingdom's cement exports decreased 3.1 percent MoM to 63,000 tons in April. On a YoY basis it decreased 65.6 percent from 183,000 tons in Aprril-11 due to the export ban, which only excludes sales to Bahrain. The YoY decrease was due to lower exports Saudi Cement, which fell 39.2 percent. None of the companies reported exports in clinker for April-12.
In April, Saudi Cement, Eastern Province Cement and Riyadh Cement exported cement. Total exports decreased 71.9 percent YoY. Saudi Cement reported the highest decline at 39.2 percent, while Eastern Cement's exports increased by 33.3 percent on YoY basis. Exports decreased by 3.1 percent on MoM basis.
Only Riyadh Cement reported an increase of 50.0 percent, while Eastern Cement and Saudi Cement reported a decline in exports by 14.3 percent and 2.05 percent respectively.
Production
Saudi Arabia produced 4.71 million tons of cement in April-12, up 6.7 percent YoY but down 7.8 percent MoM basis.
On a YoY basis, among listed players, Yanbu Cement reported the highest increase of 40.4 percent while Aljouf Cement reported a decrease of 35.7 percent. On a MoM basis, apart from Yanbu Cement, which reported an increase of 6.2 percent, all cement companies reported a decrease in production, with Najran Cement reporting the highest decrease of 23.5%.
Clinker production was up 23.5 percent YoY and 2.9 percent MoM in April-12. Among listed players, Yanbu Cement reported the highest increase in production of 318.2 percent YoY and 111.2 percent on a MoM basis.
Saudi domestic cement sales surge 11.6%
