The country’s export market did not witness a favorable kick start in the new Iranian year amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The way forward also doesn’t look in the favor of steel mills as the government has imposed export restrictions on the mills, i.e. a mill can export only 25% of its production. However, further clarity on products levied is awaited as mills have opposed this move, especially for billets/blooms.
During the first month of the current Iranian year (20 Mar’20 – 19 Apr’20), largely, all-steel mills witnessed a decline in exports. The exports of the prime steelmakers were reported to be approximately 221,592 MT, during the first month. While the heavyweight steelmakers exported 7.03 MnT tons of steel during the period under consideration to register Y-o-Y growth of 27%.
KSC remained the largest exporter at 102,373 MT witnessing a decline of 60%. However, South Kaveh Steel Company, which exceptionally performed well in terms of billet exports and managed to export over 40,000 MT billets to register a Y-o-Y increase of 60%.
Below table shows the export figures of major Iranian mills-
| Company Name | Exports in MT | Y-o-Y Change |
| Khouzestan Steel Company | 102,373 | -60% |
| Esfahan Steel Company | 28,282 | -13% |
| Mobarakeh Steel Company | 8,442 | -85% |
| South Kaveh Steel Company (Billets) | 40,000 | +60% |
| South Kaveh Steel Company (DRI) | 10,000 | – |
| Hormozgan Steel Company (Slabs) | 31,566 | -50% |
| Bonab Steel Company (Rebars) | 949 | – |
~ Inputs from Financial Tribune
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