The steel mills’ sales hit 126.38 trillion rials ($1.06 billion) during the fourth month of the year (June 22-July 22), which shows an 85% rise compared with the same month of the year before.
Earning more than 131.17 trillion rials ($1.1 billion) over the four months and 67.14 trillion rials ($563.3 million) in the fourth month under review, Mobarakeh Steel Company was the biggest seller of steel products in Iran.
The mill experienced a year-on-year growth both during the four months and in the fourth month by 100% and 90% respectively, according to Financial Tribune.
MSC is the largest steelmaker in the Middle East and North Africa region and one of the largest industrial complexes operating in Iran.
It was followed by National Iranian Copper Industry Company that sold 67.14 trillion rials ($563.3 million) worth of products during the four months, up 91% year-on-year, while the company’s sales totaled 16.11 trillion rials ($135.17 million) in the fourth month to go up by 84% YOY.
Standing in the third spot was Khouzestan Steel Company, as it sold 52.42 trillion rials ($439.82 million) worth of products in the four months, indicating a 79% rise YOY.
This is while the steelmaker, located in the southwestern Khuzestan Province, sold 14.37 trillion rials ($120.63 million) worth of products in the fourth month, up 95% YOY.
9.7% Growth in Q1 Production
Latest data released by the Iranian Steel Producers Association show Iranian steelmakers produced a total of 11 million tons during the first three Iranian months (March 21-June 21) to register a 9.7% growth compared to Q1 of the year before.
Semi-finished steel made up 6.63 million tons of the total output, up 5% YOY.
Billet and bloom made up 3.94 million tons of all semi-finished production volume while slab output hit 2.69 tons to register a 17% rise and 8% decline respectively year-on-year.
As for finished steel, output increased 16% YOY to reach 5.27 million tons.
Flat steel products had the lion's share of finished steel production with 2.7 million tons, up 13% YOY. HRC made up 2.28 million tons of the production in this category, registering a 9% growth YOY, followed by CRC with 650,000 tons (up 15% YOY) and coated coil with 428,000 tons (up 23% YOY).
This is while long steel products had a 2.56 million-ton share in the output of finished steel products in Q1 posting a 19% rise YOY. Rebar had the major share with 2.05 million tons (up 21% YOY), followed by beams with 301,000 tons (up 22% YOY) and L-beam, T-beam and other types with 203,000 tons (down 1% YOY).
Iran’s direct-reduced iron production registered a healthy growth. It stood at 7.27 million tons during the month, indicating a 10% rise YOY.
12% Decline in Q1 Exports
A total of 2.18 million tons of finished and semi-finished steel products were exported from Iran in Q1 to register a 12.22% year-on-year decrease.
Semi-finished steel made up 1.42 million tons or more than 65.27% of the total export volume, down 23% YOY.
Billet and bloom had the lion’s share of semis exports with an aggregate of 904,000 tons to mark a 14% YOY decline. Slab followed with 521,000 tons, down 35% YOY.
Exports of finished steel products increased 20% YOY to reach 758,000 tons.
Long steel products had the major share of finished products with a total of 561,000 tons (74.01%) to register a 53% growth YOY.
Rebar was the main exported product in this category with 770,000 tons, registering a 64.6% increase YOY, followed by L-beam, T-beam and other types with 45,000 tons (up 55% YOY) and beams with 37,000 (down 20% YOY).
Flat steel products had a 197,000-ton share in exports of finished steel products, down 26% YOY.
Hot-rolled coil grabbed the lion’s share in this category with 131,000 tons to register a decrease of 45.87% YOY.
Next was coated coil with 35,000 tons, up 106% YOY, and cold-rolled coil with 31,000 tons, up by 288% YOY.
Exports of direct-reduced iron increased 26% YOY to 224,000 tons.
According to IMIDRO, Khouzestan Steel Company was Iran's biggest steel exporter in spring, as its exports declined by 28% compared with last year’s similar period.
The steelmaker, located in the southwestern Khuzestan Province, exports to over a dozen countries. About half of KSC's exports goes to the Middle East and North Africa region. Its other major export destinations are located in the Far East and Americas.
Mobarakeh Steel Company came next with 342,767 tons, remaining unchanged year-on-year. The company is the largest steelmaker in the Middle East and North Africa region and one of the largest industrial complexes operating in Iran.
It was followed by Esfahan Steel Company with 262,204 tons, up 3% YOY; Hormozgan Steel Company with 197,677 tons, up 5% YOY, South Kaveh Steel Company with 194,600 tons, up 46% YOY; and Khorasan Steel Company with 33,353 tons.
Iran was the world's 10th biggest steel producer in 2018, according to World Steel Association. The country aims to increase its production capacity from the current 34 million tons to 55 million tons per year by 2025.
According to Deputy Minister of Industries, Mining and Trade Khodadad Gharibpour, Iranian steel industry is an export-oriented one, as the country exports more than 40% of its steel production.