MSC topped other steel mills in terms of exports during the month under review. However, the performance of major steel producers in the first eight months of the current fiscal year shows Khouzestan Steel Company is still Iran’s leading exporter.
Khouzestan Steel Company exported 950,024 tons of slab, bloom and billet during the first eight months of the current fiscal year (March. 20-Nov. 20), down 25%.
MSC came next with 681,233 tons, registering a 32% decrease compared with the same period of last fiscal year.
According to data released by Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization, KSC’s exports during the eighth month of the year stood at 72,411 tons, showing a 60% decline year-on-year.
KSC exported a record high of 2.76 million tons last fiscal year (March 2017-18), marking a growth of 34% YOY.
Esfahan Steel Company’s exports totaled 641,585 tons during the eight months to register an 18% year-on-year decline.
The company’s exports during the eighth month went down by 7% to 90,970 tons.
South Kaveh Steel Company took the next spot with 418,400 tons of billet exports to post a 24% YOY fall. The mill recorded a 2% decline in monthly exports, with 84,500 tons.
Chadormalu Iron Ore Processing was next with 362.231 tons of billet exports, nearly 29,932 tons of which were shipped during the eighth month of the current fiscal year.
IMIDRO’s data show a 105% increase in the company's exports in the first eight months of the year and a 36% jump in the eighth month's shipments. Hormozgan Steel Company followed by exporting 313,482 tons during the eight months, down 41%. HSC shipped 21,031 tons during the month to Nov. 22, marking a 74% decline YOY.
Saba Foolad registered the highest jump among major steel exporters during the first eight months of the current fiscal year. The mill exported 251,888 tons, 232% higher than the same period of last year. Bonab Steel Company registered the highest growth of 329% during the eighth month of the year with 8,847 tons.
The data used in this report are based on preliminary statistics provided by IMIDRO on Iran's large-scale producers and lack details on most private producers' shipments.
A more detailed report is usually published by Iran Steel Producers Association soon.
The mills under IMIDRO’s survey collectively exported 3.8 million tons of semi-finished and finished steel products during the eight months to Nov. 20 to register a 20% decline compared with the same period of last year. Monthly figures indicate a 12% fall in exports year-on-year.
A surge in domestic demand as well as price controlling policies employed by the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade are among key causes behind the fall in major steel producers' exports.
Production Capacity Nears 40m Tons p.a.
The aggregate annual capacity of Iranian steel companies has reached 39.82 million tons, according to new data released by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization.
Presently, there are 84 steel mills in Iran.
Mobarakeh Steel Company, Iran’s biggest steelmaker, accounts for 18% of total production capacity with 7.2 million tons per year.
Khuzestan Steel Company comes next with 3.8 million tons followed by Esfahan Steel Company with 3.6 million tons and South Kaveh Steel Company with 2.4 million tons.
As per the goals set in the 20-Year National Vision Plan (2005-25), Iran seeks to become the world’s sixth largest steelmaker by 2025 with a crude steel output capacity of 55 million tons.
According to IMIDRO, Iran’s steel production capacity is expected to reach 43.6 million tons by the end of the current Iranian year (March 20, 2021), while actual production is estimated to hit 31.1 million tons to utilize 71% of the nominal capacity.
IMIDRO is a state-run enterprise and Iran's biggest holding company active in the mining sector.