Displaying items by tag: inventory

Saudi Arabia: Cement sales rose by 7% year-on-year and 8% month-on-month to reach 5.24Mt in October 2025, the highest monthly figure since March 2021, according to a research note from Al Rajhi Capital.

All producers recorded month-on-month volume growth except Yamama Cement, which nevertheless strengthened its market leadership with a 15% share, up from 12% in the 2024 financial year. Saudi Cement followed with a 13% share, compared to 12.5% the previous year. Regionally, the Eastern Province led growth with a 17% year-on-year increase in sales, followed by the Central Region at 16%. The Northern, Western and Southern regions saw declines of 3%, 2% and 0.8%, respectively. Clinker inventories stood at 44.1Mt at the end of October 2025, down by 0.2% month-on-month.

Saudi Arabia: Domestic cement despatches rose by 13% year-on-year to 3.84Mt in June 2025, falling by 18% month-on-month due to seasonality impact, according to a report by Al Jazira Capital. Clinker inventories grew by 1% month-on-month to 45Mt.

Exports reached 0.71Mt, up by 17% year-on-year. Clinker production rose by 9% year-on-year to 4.9Mt, led by Yamama Cement, which increased its output by 28% or 0.15Mt, and Riyadh Cement, up by 93% or 0.17Mt. In the first half of 2025, domestic despatches rose by 14% to 25.7Mt, compared to 22.6Mt in the first half of 2024.

The Gambia: The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE) has confirmed that Portland cement is now readily available, and that the market has returned to a stable state after recent disruptions, according to The Voice Gambia newspaper. According to the MoTIE, the shortages resulted from re-negotiations of international supply contracts following the imposition of new US tariffs.

MoTIE confirmed that cement inventories are as follows: Jah Multi Industries holds 54,457t, Salam Cement 59,000t and Gacem 21,000t. Scheduled shipments in June 2025 include 117,600t for Jah Multi Industries on two separate dates, 30,000t for Gacem across two shipments and 38,000t for Salam Cement on 30 June 2025. MoTIE said the government is confident that cement supply will meet market demand without disruption.

Vietnam: The government has reduced cement clinker export tax from 10% to 5%, effective from 19 May 2025 to the end of 2026. The 10% rate will be reinstated on 1 January 2027.

The Ministry of Finance said the temporary measure is an effort to help local manufacturers adjust production and reduce their inventory amid falling demand. Only 77% of Vietnam’s 122Mt/yr cement capacity is currently in use, with 34 out of 92 lines suspending operations in 2024. Cement and clinker exports fell by 5% to 29.7Mt in 2024, with revenues down by 14% year-on-year to US$1.14bn. Clinker exports alone were valued at US$301m.

Saudi Arabia: Total cement sales in Saudi Arabia dropped by 2% year-on-year to 3.61Mt in March 2025 from 3.70Mt in March 2024, according to data from Yamama Cement. Domestic sales fell by almost 4% to 3.45Mt, while exports rose by 36% to 158,000t from 116,000t. Arabian Cement recorded the highest increase in domestic sales at 26%, followed by Al-Safwa Cement with 22%. Umm Al-Qura Cement posted the steepest drop at 36%, while Tabuk Cement’s fell by 34%. Al-Jouf Cement’s sales remained unchanged at 102,000t.

Three companies exported a total of 158,000 tons of cement in March 2025. Saudi Cement led with 139,000t. Clinker production fell by 6% to 5.1Mt, while clinker inventories grew 5% to 44.3Mt. Saudi Cement also led clinker exports with 153,000t, followed by Northern Region Cement with 58,000t.

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL) says it continues to focus on improving its cement inventories and deliveries to the local market, amid disruption in September and early October 2024.

The company stated that further measures have been implemented to enhance inventory deliveries to its island-wide depots. It stated that it was currently operating at full production capacity and had successfully addressed various operational challenges, including those caused by adverse weather conditions relating to Hurricane Milton, which recently affected the region.

“Our valued customers and the public can expect further improvements in cement delivery over the coming week,” said the company. “CCCL remains committed to better serving its customers and enhancing services to ensure a reliable local supply of products.” The company added that it sincerely appreciated the ‘patience and understanding’ of all of its customers.

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company (CCC) is addressing concerns that have arisen due to a shortage of cement in the market, which has reportedly led to hardware stores rationing supplies, according to the Jamaica Observer. The government has been called on to address the problem, reportedly affecting more than 150,000 people employed in the construction industry.

A spokesperson for CCC said “Caribbean Cement Company has successfully completed the scheduled annual maintenance of its kiln, and we are aware that some customers are experiencing delays in obtaining cement. Prior to the maintenance, the company held sufficient inventories to meet market needs. However, the passage of Hurricane Beryl and the company’s subsequent response to ongoing relief efforts resulted in faster consumption of these initial inventories. We recognise the importance of our operations to the construction industry and are working diligently to replenish inventories as quickly as possible for our valued customers. We anticipate a return to normal inventory levels during the coming days.”

US: Eagle Materials’ consolidated sales were US$1.68bn during the first nine months of its 2023 financial year, up by 16% year-on-year from US$1.45bn in the corresponding period of the 2022 financial year. Its net earnings were US$361m, up by 20% year-on-year from US$300m.

In its cement business, the group noted a drop in volumes and a rise in prices year-on-year during the third quarter of the 2023 financial year. Low inventory levels and ‘difficult weather’ reportedly impacted on demand. The group’s cement volumes fell by 13% year-on-year to 1.7Mt. This resulted in a 2% drop in the cement business’ revenues, to US$256m.

South Korea: Truck drivers went on strike across South Korea on 24 November 2022. Reuters News has reported that the drivers demand that a government pay scheme be made permanent and extended to drivers in all sectors. A previous eight-day strike in June 2022 cost the South Korean cement industry US$79.8m. The Korean Cement Association said that most customers do not have cement in inventory beyond three days' supply, and will begin to run out from 27 November 2022.

India: Gujarat Sidhee Cement has stopped its kiln for a temporary period of 15 – 20 days due to high clinker inventory levels. Cement grinding and despatch will continue unabated. The cement producer operates an integrated plant at Sidheegram in Gujarat.