Posted on 24 Jan 2019
Iranian billet exports recovered in the month through 21 December, but slab exports plunged further, Kallanish notes from newly-published Iranian Steel Producers Association (ISPA) data.
Billet exports in the nine months through 21 December fell -11% on-year – versus a -14% drop after eight months – to 2.3 million tonnes. Slab shipments fell -32% – deepening from a -29% drop after eight months – to 1.38mt.
Hot rolled coil exports growth, moreover, slowed to 20% after nine months versus 39% after eight months – shipments totalled 528,000t.
Nevertheless, rebar saw accelerated export growth in the month through 21 December. Nine-month shipments surged 185% to 1.13mt. Sections exports growth remained at 52%, giving a total of 196,000t. Hot-dip galvanized coil export growth slowed slightly to 178% – versus 182% after eight months – resulting in shipments of 125,000t.
Overall nine-month finished product shipments surged 100% to 2.15mt.
Meanwhile, nine-month direct reduced iron exports fell -16% to 432,000t.
In terms of apparent consumption, rebar grew 7% – same as it did after eight months – to 4.55mt.
Nine-month consumption of all other finished products declined. HRC use fell -5% to 5.72mt, while cold rolled coil use declined -7% to 2.11mt and coated sheet use fell -19% to 1.12mt. Sections consumption decreased -18% to 545,000t.
Overall nine-month apparent finished product consumption declined -5% – versus -4% after eight months – to 14.51mt.
DRI consumption rose 21% to 19.39mt.
Eight-month imports of finished products, meanwhile, declined -56% to 730,000t.
