Iran’s major steelmakers increased crude steel output 8% on-year in the three months through 20 June, or first quarter of the Iranian calendar year, to 5.7 million tonnes, according to the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (Imidro).

This figure encompasses the output of Mobarakeh Steel (MSC), Khouzestan Steel, Esfahan Steel, Iran Alloy Steel, Middle East Mines & Mineral Industries Development Holding Company (Midhco), Melli Group, South Kaveh Steel, Khorasan Steel, Chadormalu, Arfa Steel, Bonab Steel and Sirjan Jahan Steel.

Finished steel output, meanwhile, rose 1% to 3.57mt. This includes the output of MSC, Saba Steel, Esfahan Steel, Azerbaijan Steel, Khorasan Steel, Iran Alloy Steel, Sirjan Jahan Steel, Ahvaz Rolling and Pipe, National Steel Group, Oxin Steel, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Automotive Sheets Company, and Bonab Steel.

Direct reduced iron output rose 12% in the quarter to 8.21mt, while iron ore pellet output grew 2% to 11.24mt. Iron ore concentrate output, however, fell -2% to 11.91mt.

Steel exports by major Iranian mills slumped -46% on-year in the three months to 901,126 tonnes (see Kallanish passim). The Iranian Steel Producers’ Association (ISPA) reiterated this week the need for all export restrictions to be lifted by authorities.