Prices of food, construction materials down in Saudi Arabia

Prices of 60 food products in Saudi Arabia registered a year-on-year (YoY) fall in November, while prices of 20 other commodities rose, data compiled by Saudi General Authority for Statistics showed.

Indian rice saw the biggest drop of 18 percent YoY, while prices of Chinese garlic rose the most, by 38 percent.

The prices of seven non-food commodities increased, with Marlboro cigarettes up the most—by 20 percent. Eight products saw prices drop. Coal, for example, fell by 4 percent.

Prices of feedstock and animals also declined during October.

Similarly, prices of construction materials slid last month. Price of sand and gravel mixture saw the biggest decline of 18 percent.

Demand for construction materials has fallen in the kingdom as the sector continues to face an ongoing slowdown due to tighter government spending amid slumping oil prices.