Apparent Steel Usage Increases for Finished Products, Falls for Semis

Iran's apparent steel usage registered growth for finished and a decline for semi-finished steel products in the first month of the current fiscal year (March 21-April 20) compared with last year's corresponding period.
The apparent usage totaled 1.68 million tons for finished products, posting a 9% year-on-year increase, the Iranian Steel Producers Association reported.
Apparent steel usage is defined as production plus imports minus exports, sometimes also adjusted for changes in inventories. 
Flat steel products accounted for the largest portion of finished steel consumption with 860,000 tons of finished steel apparent usage, up 6% YOY.