Significant rise in Saudi Arabia clinker imports

Saudi cement companies have reported a significant rise in clinker imports over the first three quarters of the year while cement exports decline.

Clinker imports totalled 1,925,000t during 9M13 compared to 399,000t in the same period of last year, an increase of 382.4 per cent, according to a report, prepared by Al-Eqtisadiah daily. Some 39,000t of cement was imported over the first nine months of the year.

Exports, on the other hand, fell by 55 per cent to 245,000t in the nine months to the end of September 2013, compared to 547,000t in the same period of last year. Cement was mainly exported by Saudi Cement Co, Eastern Province Cement Co and Riyadh Cement Co, the report said.

According to data from NCB Capital, cement sales are expected to grow by 8.2 per cent YoY in 2013 to reach 56Mt as bumper 2012 oil revenue gains have fuelled a massive fiscal spending spree. Demand is expected to continue to grow at a CAGR of 6.3 per cent until 2015, according to estimates from the research house. In April, King Abdullah ordered the import of 10Mt of cement to meet the growing demand due to the expansion of development projects and governmental-led infrastructure projects.