Iran's annual steel production rises

Iran's annual crude steel production will reach 15 million tonnes by the end of the current Iranian calendar year, which ends March 20, the chairman of the Iranian Steel Producers Association said. Bahram Sobhani added that according to forecasts, steel production should increase to 55 million tons by the end of the fifth five-year development plan in 2015.

Iran was the largest crude steel producer in the Middle East in 2013, according to the latest press release from the World Steel Association. Iran produced 15.4 million tons of crude steel in 2013, an increase of 6.6 percent over 2012. Steel production in the country in December 2013 amounted to 1.35 million tons, which is 13.6 percent more compared to December 2012.

At the same time, global crude steel production in 2013 was 1,607 million tonnes, an increase of 3.5 percent over 2012. China, Japan, and the United States were the three largest steel producers in 2013, with 779 million tonnes, 110 million tonnes, and 87 million tonnes of output, respectively. Iranian steel production reached 14.89 million tonnes in the previous Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 20, 2013.

Iranian Industry Minister Mohammad-Jafar said Iran has liberalized metal exports by the end of spring in an attempt to give domestic producers an incentive. He said that the export of metal products and ingots will be unrestricted and free until the end of the month of Khordad, ending June 21.