BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 18. Iran's crude steel production decreased by 4.3 percent during eight months of the current Iranian year (from March 20 through November 20, 2024) compared to the same period last year (from March 21 through November 21, 2023).
The data obtained by Trend from the country's Steel Producers Association shows that Iran's crude steel production amounted to 20.4 million tons during eight months. However, the country produced about 21.3 million tons of crude steel in the same period last year.
The information says that Iran's steel production totaled 14.8 million tons during eight months. This is 0.3 percent less than the same period last year. In the same period last year, the country's production of steel products amounted to 14.9 million tons.
Moreover, the information noted that Iran produced 28.3 million tons of sponge iron during the eight months. During the mentioned period, the production of sponge iron increased by 11.2 percent compared to the same period last year. In the same period last year, the country's sponge iron production was 25.4 million tons.
The data indicates that the country produced about 43.1 million tons of iron ore pellets during eight months. For eight months, the production of iron ore pellets decreased by 2.8 percent compared to the same period last year. In the same period last year, the country's iron ore pellet production stood at about 44.3 million tons.
Furthermore, the information says that iron ore concentrate production was 47.8 million tons during eight months. The iron ore concentrate production rose about 5.9 percent in the eight months compared to the same period last year. In the same period last year, the country produced 45.1 million tons of iron ore concentrate.
Iran produced 32.1 million tons of crude steel during the last Iranian year (from March 21, 2023, through March 19, 2024). Iran's crude steel production increased by 5.5 percent compared to the previous year (from March 21, 2022 through March 20, 2023). However, crude steel production in the previous year was 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 capacity to 55 million tons by 2025.