Significant Decline in Iran's Apparent Steel Usage

Iran's apparent steel usage, defined as production plus imports minus exports, sometimes also adjusted for changes in inventories, decreased significantly during the first five months of the current Iranian year (March 21-Aug. 22) compared with last year's corresponding period.
According to the Iranian Steel Producers Association, apparent usage stood at 7.75 million tons for semi-finished products, registering a 24% decline compared with last year's corresponding period.
It stood at 6.46 million tons for finished products, posting a 19% year-on-year decrease.