Saudi Arabia set the factory price of a cement bag at SR12 ($3.20) and the retail price at SR14, the official Saudi Press Agency reported, citing Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Al-Rabea. The price of bulk cement has been fixed at SR240 a ton, it said. Cement production in the Kingdom expanded an annual 13 percent in February. Output from 13 companies rose to 4.4 million tons last month, according to industry data posted on the website of Yamamah Saudi Cement Co. The ministry has started to provide additional quantities of cement in line with the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to provide additional amount reaching 15 percent in the local market, and additional 150 million bags of cement annually. The ministry has provided toll free number (800 1241616) for consumers to report any price hikes. The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources will provide the necessary fuel for full operation of cement factories.
