Posted on 26 Sep 2018
Iranian billet and bloom exports rose 13% on-year in the five months through 22 August to 1.61 million tonnes, while slab exports grew by 11% to 1.42mt. This is according to Iranian Steel Producers’ Association (ISPA) data published on ISPA’s online Chilan portal, monitored by Kallanish.
Billet exports thus slowed from their 35% growth after four months, but slab shipments abroad accelerated from 2% growth.
Iranian direct reduced iron exports, meanwhile, rose 4% to 350,000t, after declining -6% after four months.
Five-month finished product exports surged 109% to 1.08mt, although this was slower than the 117% growth seen after four months.
Five-month finished steel imports, meanwhile, fell -45% to 472,000t, of which 159,000t were cold rolled sheet, 126,000t coated sheet and 120,000t hot rolled sheet under 3mm thick.
Iranian apparent billet and slab consumption rose 28% and 20% respectively in the five months to 4.24mt and 3.1mt.
However, finished steel consumption fell -2% to 8.17mt. Coated sheet saw the largest drop at -13% to 670,000t. CR sheet use fell -7% to 1.17mt, as did sections use to 297,000t. HR sheet use fell -4% to 3.19mt, but rebar consumption increased 9% to 2.35mt.
DRI consumption grew 19% to 10.34mt.
