Cement Export Declines While That of Clinker Rises

As of March 2018, Iraq used to be the main export destination of Iranian cement, but it is more than a year now since the neighboring country suspended imports of this construction material from Iran.
“With the help of European countries, Iraqis established cement factories with a production capacity of 40 million tons and no longer need Iran’s cement,” said Hamid Hosseini, a member of Iran-Iraq Chamber of Commerce.
“At first, they increased cement import tariffs and then imposed an occasional ban. As we speak, Iraq is only purchasing clinker from Iran.” 
According to Abdolreza Sheikhan, the secretary of Iran's Cement Association, exports of cement saw a 24% decrease over the five months to Aug. 21, which is to blame on the decline in demand from the neighboring countries, particularly Iraq. 
“Clinker exports increased by 25% over the period. A total of 3.6 million tons of clinker and 1.85 tons of cement and clinker were exported to Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Somalia and the UAE over the five-month period,” he was quoted as saying by the Persian-language daily Etemad.