Saudi Arabia: Domestic cement sales rose by 0.4% year-on-year in August 2026 to 4.49Mt from 4.47Mt in the same month of 2025, an increase of 19,000t. Meanwhile, exports decreased by 18% to 92,000t, compared to 0.11Mt in August 2025, according to Al-Yamama Cement. Total cement sales, including exports, reached 4.58Mt in August 2026, compared to 4.59Mt in August 2025. Saudi Cement recorded its highest production level in August 2026 at 0.8Mt, while Southern Cement had the largest clinker inventory at 6.19Mt.

Al-Yamama Cement recorded the most sales in August 2026 with 0.83Mt, its highest level in eight months, representing 19% of total domestic sales. Saudi Cement's sales ranked second with 0.55Mt, capturing 12% of the domestic market, followed by Qassim Cement with sales of 0.33Mt. Arabian Cement achieved a 15% increase in domestic sales to reach 0.33Mt, followed by Yanbu Cement also with 0.33Mt, then Southern Cement with 0.31Mt.

Regarding the quantities of cement exported in August 2026, Saudi Cement recorded the most with 52,000t, capturing 57% of the market. Al-Jouf Cement exported 18,000t, up from only 1000t in August 2025. Meanwhile, exports from Najran Cement decreased by 32% year-on-year to 15,000t, while Eastern Cement recorded a 100% increase in its exports during August 2026 to 7000t.

Total sales for all cement companies reached 35.1Mt in the first eight months of 2026, compared to 35.8Mt in the same period of 2025 a decrease of about 2%. Domestic sales decreased in the first eight months of 2026, by 2% year-on-year to 34Mt, compared to 34.7Mt in the corresponding period of 2025. In contrast, exports increased during the first eight months of 2026 by about 0.6% year-on-year to 1.1Mt, compared to 1.09Mt in the same period of 2025.

Uzbekistan: Cement plants in Uzbekistan produced 12.1Mt of cement in the first seven months of the year, according to the National Statistics Committee. This represents an increase of 0.1Mt or 0.8% year-on-year from the same period of 2025, when cement production totalled 12Mt. From January to July 2024, cement production reached 9.1Mt.

Uganda: The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), in collaboration with local police, has carried out an operation in Kampala to crack down on dealers involved in the illegal repackaging and sale of underweight cement. During the operation, authorities confiscated more than 50t of cement that had allegedly been repackaged into bags weighing as little as 35kg. Police arrested 15 suspects. The operation is part of ongoing efforts by UNBS and law enforcement agencies to protect consumers, curb the sale of counterfeit and substandard products, and ensure that cement sold on the Ugandan market meets the required quality and weight standards.

Sweden: The Swedish Land and Environmental Court has granted Heidelberg Materials a 30-year permit to continue its quarry operations in Slite on the island of Gotland, effective immediately. The decision ensures a long-term supply of raw materials for the plant’s cement production. The permit includes a package of protection measures for water and the natural environment, developed in close collaboration with the relevant authorities, with the company investing €134m. Development work for the planned carbon capture and storage facility is currently on hold whilst efforts to secure funding continue.

"Today's announcement provides an important foundation for our long-term operations and for us to continue to be a stable partner in Sweden, and deliver a crucial material for construction, infrastructure and public safety. At the same time, we take clear responsibility for water, nature and the local community on Gotland," said Giv Brantenberg, General Manager for Heidelberg Materials' Northern Europe region.