Iran Registers Offbeat Growth in Apparent Steel Usage in 7 Months

Steel consumption in Iran is growing against all odds.
Iran's apparent steel usage—defined as production plus imports minus exports, sometimes also adjusted for changes in inventories—during the first seven months of the current Iranian year (March 20-Oct. 21) stood at 13.74 million tons for semi-finished products, registering a 13% increase compared with last year's corresponding period.
Apparent usage stood at 11.93 million tons for finished products, posting a 20% increase year-on-year, according to the Iranian Steel Producers Association.
Flat steel products accounted for the largest portion of finished steel consumption with 5.4 million tons, up 12% YOY.