BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 31. Iran's crude steel production decreased by 5.7 percent during the six months of the current Iranian year (from March 20 through September 21, 2024) compared to the same period last year (from March 21 through September 22, 2023).
The data obtained by Trend from the country's Steel Producers Association shows that Iran produced about 14.4 million tons of crude steel during the six months. Meanwhile, during the same period last year, the country's crude steel production was 15.2 million tons.
According to the report, Iran produced 10.7 million tons of steel products during the six months. This also indicates a decline of 3.3 percent compared to the same period last year. The same period last year saw the production of 11.1 million tons of steel products.
The information notes that the country produced about 20.8 million tons of sponge iron for six months. This is 10.2 percent more than in the same period last year. Thus, in the same period last year, about 18.9 million tons of sponge iron were produced.
The report adds that the country produced 31.9 million tons of iron ore pellets in six months. Iron ore pellet production declined by 4 percent from the same period last year. In the same period last year, iron ore pellet production totaled 33.4 million tons.
Moreover, the report shows that Iran produced 35.9 million tons of iron ore concentrate during the six months. The production of iron ore concentrate increased by 7.3 percent compared to the same period last year. During the six months of last year, 33.5 million tons of iron ore concentrate were produced.
Meanwhile, 32.1 million tons of crude steel were produced in Iran during the last Iranian year (from March 21, 2023, through March 19, 2024). Iran's crude steel production increased by 5.5% compared to the previous year (March 21, 2022-March 20, 2023). However, crude steel production in the previous year stood at 30.4 million tons.
To note, Iran's steel production potential is about 40 million tons per year. Iran plans to increase its steel production potential to 55 million tons by 2025.