An official annual report from the Abu Dhabi government analyses price movements of the most sought-after construction industry materials, including commodities and services. Items are categorised into 21 groups. These include cement, aggregates sand, steel, concrete and cement blocks. The report also states that 2010 saw cement prices declining by 12.9 per cent from 2009, stemming from a 25.2 per cent drop in OPC and sulphate resistant cement. White cement also saw a 2.3 per cent decrease in price and Standard Portland was 25.2 per cent lower than the previous year. However, other categories saw a rise, such as gypsum, which increased 1.4 per cent, and Omani lime by 4.2 per cent over the previous year.

The report also reveals a rise in the price of construction steel in 2010 by 10.2 per cent over 2009. This is attributed to the jump in the price of steel items that began in March 2010.

Ready-mix concrete prices witnessed a significant decline of 30.6 per cent in 2010 from the previous year. Labour costs were also included in the report, which confirmed a decline of 10.8 per cent in 2010 in comparison to the previous year. January saw a 16.1 per cent decline, and May 2011 saw the greatest decline, amounting to 21.6 per cent.
Advertisement