Iranian billet exports were flat on-year in the six months through 22 September at 1.55 million tonnes, but slab shipments abroad fell -23% to 1.24mt. This is according to Iranian Steel Producers’ Association (ISPA) data published on ISPA’s online Chilan portal, monitored by Kallanish. Direct reduced iron exports declined -8% to 374,000t.
Finished steel exports, however, surged 138% to 1.37mt. Straightened rebar comprised 357,000t, rebar in coil 280,000t, hot rolled coil above 3mm thick 265,000t and HRC under 3mm thick 161,000t.
Six-month finished steel imports declined -47% to 546,000t. Cold rolled and coated coil comprised 174,000t and 153,000t respectively. HRC under 3mm thick accounted for 128,000t.
Apparent consumption of billet and slab rose 31% and 34% respectively to 5.25mt and 4.37mt. DRI consumption increased 20% to 12.48mt.
Apparent finished steel consumption fell -3% to 9.87mt. HRC comprised 3.93mt, rebar 3.05mt, CRC 1.41mt and coated sheet 922,000t.
Six-month semi-finished steel output increased 19% to 12.46mt. Billet output accounted for 6.8mt and slab for 5.61mt.
Finished steel output rose 10% to 10.69mt. HRC output increased 12% to 4.21mt and rebar production rose 19% to 3.67mt. CRC production rose 4% to 1.25mt, but coated sheet output declined -8% to 714,000t. Sections output fell -2% to 450,000t.
DRI output rose 19% in the six months to 13mt.