rebar prices saw varying declines across most sizes during the month of July, while electrical wires and cables recorded increases and lumber prices tended to decline, according to data from the bulletin on average prices of goods and services issued by the General Authority for Statistics.
Price movements during the month reveal a clear divergence among building material categories, with rebar recording declines ranging from modest to more pronounced, compared to increases in the prices of electrical wiring supplies, and declines in various types of lumber.
Reinforcing steel leads the downward trend
Reinforcing steel prices fell on a month-over-month basis in July, with the decline being more pronounced for certain gauges used in construction.
The price of «6 mm» steel fell by 0.8%, reaching 4,110.9 riyals per metric ton.
The price of 8-mm rebar fell by 3.9% to 3,181.8 riyals per metric ton, while the price of 10-mm rebar declined by 3.5% to 3,242.6 riyals per metric ton.
The declines also affected 12-mm and 14-mm rebar and «16 mm» rebar, with each price falling by 3.5% in July to settle at 3,163.4 riyals, 3,166.6 riyals, and 3,166.5 riyals per metric ton, respectively.
The price of «18 mm» rebar also fell by 3.6% on a monthly basis, reaching 3,156.1 riyals per metric ton. In contrast, the price of Chinese rebar ties rose by 0.6% in July, reaching 55.5 riyals per 10 kg.
Rising Prices of Electrical Wires and Cables
In the electrical wires and cables, price movements went in the opposite direction of rebar, with various categories recording increases ranging from 0.3% to 1.4% on a monthly basis during July. Prices for these products ranged from 1.5 riyals to 643.9 riyals, depending on the unit of measurement used for each category.
The increases extended to "Saudi Halq Janb" aluminum, whose price rose by 1.5% in July, reaching 105.1 riyals per 5.8-meter piece.
These movements highlight the divergent price trends for construction and electrical supplies during the month, with steel prices falling while prices for wire, cable, and aluminum products rose.
Wood Prices Decline
Wood prices declined in July, following the same trend as rebar. The price of Chilean lumber fell by 2.8% on a month-over-month basis, reaching 1,590.4 riyals per cubic meter, while the price of Romanian lumber declined by 1.8% to 1,631.1 riyals per cubic meter.
The price of African teak also fell by 0.6%, reaching 6,956.9 riyals per cubic meter. Indonesian Appalachian wood recorded a 1.5% decline on a monthly basis, reaching a price of 3,150.5 riyals per cubic meter.
