Saudi food, construction materials rise in April

Prices of 37 commodities in Saudi Arabia declined year-on-year (YoY) in April, while prices of 121 other products rose, official data issued by the Saudi General Authority for Statistics showed.

For food products, prices of 23 items dropped YoY during the same month, prices of other 64 products increased, while one product remained unchanged.

Chinese garlic saw the biggest drop at 22percent YoY, while prices of soft drinks jumped the most by 67 percent.

Saudi Arabia rolled out a 100 percent selective tax on tobacco products and energy drinks in June. A 50 percent tax was imposed on carbonated soft drinks.

The prices of 14 non-food commodities also increased, with Marlboro cigarettes rising the most by 109 percent. Only women dress edged down 0.02 percent.

Prices of fodder and livestock jumped during April.

Elsewhere, prices of most construction materials declined in April. Concrete 250k prices saw the biggest decline of 5 percent, while prices of cables 25mm rose the most by 19 percent.

Demand for construction materials has fallen in the Kingdom as the sector continues to face an ongoing slowdown, due to tighter government spending amid low oil prices.