Saudi Arabian cement sales and clinker production reached record monthly highs in March 2012, a new report by NCB Capital shows.

“Domestic cement sales rose 12.6 per cent YoY and 10.2 per cent MoM to 4.89Mt in Mar-12. Local clinker sales rose to 135,000t against 10,000t in February 2012,” the report said.

Clinker production was up 10 per cent YoY and 22.3 per cent MoM in March 2012 to 4Mt, another record NCB noted. Among listed players, Southern Cement reported the highest increase in production of 44.8 per cent YoY. On a month-to-month basis, Yanbu Cement reported the greatest increase at 61.3 percent, followed by Yamamah Cement at 58.3 per cent.

Clinker stocks, however, declined sharply by 44.4 per cent to reach 5.02Mt, the lowest level since August 2008, the report highlighted.

Cement production increased 12.6 per cent YoY to 5.1Mt in the month. On a YoY basis, among listed players, Saudi Cement reported the highest increase of 41.1 per cent followed by Yanbu Cement, Arabian Cement and Yamamah Cement with 33.6 per cent 27.7 per cent and 24.6 per cent increase respectively. On a month-to-month basis, apart from Al Jouf Cement – which reported a decrease of 23.1 per cent – all cement companies reported an increase in production, with Yanbu Cement reporting the highest increase of 87.6 per cent. City Cement did not report an increase in production on a month-to-month basis.

Cement exports dropped 64.5 per cent YoY and 17.7 per cent MoM to 65,000t in March 2012,” the report added. Saudi Cement reported the greatest decline at 32.9 per cent, while Eastern Cement’s exports increased by 16.7 per cent on a YoY basis.