Apparent Steel Usage Up 21%

Iran's apparent steel usage—defined as production plus imports minus exports, sometimes also adjusted for changes in inventories—during the first eight months of the current Iranian year (March 20-Nov. 20) amounted to 16.81 million tons for semi-finished products, registering a 21% increase compared with last year's corresponding period.
Apparent usage totaled 13.56 million tons for finished products, posting an 18% increase year-on-year, according to the Iranian Steel Producers Association.
Flat steel products accounted for the largest portion of finished steel consumption with 6.12 million tons, up 13% YOY. 
Among flat steel products, hot-rolled coil had the biggest share of apparent usage with 5.88 million tons (up 9% YOY), followed by cold-rolled coil with 1.96 million tons (up 15% YOY) and coated coil with 1.14 million tons (up 2% compared with the same period of last year).
Long steel products accounted for 6.27 million tons of finished steel apparent usage, up 26% YOY.