Saudi cement sector during April 2026 witnessed mixed changes between local market performance and export movement, while the operating rate of plants continued to move at levels exceeding 73% of production capacity, amid a clear rise in domestic demand against a decline in foreign exports, according to the latest data of Jazira Capital.
Al Jazeera Capital.
The Saudi cement sector witnessed mixed variations between the domestic market and export movement in April 2026.
The report showed that the operating rate of the cement sector decreased over the last 12 months to 73.4% at the end of April 2026, compared to 74% last March, while it came above its April 2025 level of 72.On the export side, Saudi cement exports recorded an annual decline of 8.4% to 644 thousand tons in April 2026, compared to 703 thousand tons in the same month last year. Saudi Cement Company came at the forefront of exporting companies with a total of 270 thousand tons, followed by Yanbu Cement with 169 thousand tons, then Al-Jouf Cement with 66 thousand tons, while Northern Cement recorded exports of 57 thousand tons and Southern Cement with 55 thousand tons, in addition to exports of Najran, Eastern and Safwa companies in smaller quantities.
In contrast, the domestic market continued to record strong growth in demand, as shipments of cement within the Kingdom increased by 5.7% during April 2026 to reach 4.41 million tons compared to the same period last year, supported by the change in the timing of the Eid al-Fitr season, which fell in April in 2025 while this year came in March.
Domestic sales of the sector jumped by 35.45% compared to the previous month, mainly supported by the strong performance of Yamama Cement and Saudi Cement, with sales of the former increasing by 219 thousand tons and the latter by 139 thousand tons, equivalent to monthly growth of 44% and 37%, respectively.In terms of market share, Yamama Cement consolidated its position as the largest company in terms of market share of sales within the sector during April 2026 with a share of 16.3% compared to 14.8% in the same period last year, while Qassim Cement came second with a share of 13.1% compared to 12.8% a year ago.
With a share of 13.1% compared to 12.8% a year ago.
Regarding clinker stocks, the report indicated that they stood at 44.69 million tons during April 2026, close to the level recorded a year ago, but 2.6% more than the previous month.
In contrast, clinker production fell by 8.43% y-o-y to 4.6 million tons, as Southern Cement and Saudi Cement declined by 196,000 tons and 122,000 tons, respectively.
According to the report, the sales to clinker production ratio was 101% during April 2026, with Eastern Cement recording the lowest ratio at 69% due to high production levels compared to sales volume.
According to the report, sales to production ratio was 101% during April 2026, with Eastern Cement recording the lowest ratio at 69% as a result of high production levels compared to sales volume.
