Saudi Arabia exported 163,000 tons of cement in 2017: Al-Rasheed

Saudi cement producers made 163,000 tons in exports in 2017, Jehad Al-Rasheed, chairman of National Committee of Cement Producers, said in a statement.

This level, he added, is considered very low given the abundant supply in the Kingdom.

Al-Rasheed’s statement came in response to a report published in Al Madina newspaper, stating that the Kingdom’s cement exports amounted to around 995,000 tons in 2017.

Saudi Arabia has stopped cement exports to Bahrain since March, after imposing export tariffs. 

The National Committee should cooperate with the other competent authorities to help offload a portion of its stock piles of cement, and thus boost the non-oil revenue, Al-Rasheed said.

Clinker inventories reached a record of 35 million tons by end of October, which may cover 11 months of local consumption. However, they should be two months lower than the strategic stock, in line with the regulations set by the ministry of commerce and investment.