Tel :
Tel :
During the first four months of the Persian calendar year 2025 (March 21-July 22), Iranian steel exports saw strong growth across several segments, including semi-finished products, flat products, and raw materials, reversing previous pessimistic expectations stemming from summer power shortages and domestic economic pressures. NK K/F56 steel In particular, during the fourth month (June 22-July 22), driven by geopolitical tensions, steelmakers accelerated the release of export capacity, significantly increasing overseas shipments.
According to data from the Iranian Steel Producers Association (ISPA), semi-finished product exports increased by 25% year-on-year to over 2.5 million tons. Billet exports increased by 15% year-on-year to nearly 1.8 million tons, while slab exports soared by 61% year-on-year to 760,000 tons.
Overall exports of finished steel products declined by 14% year-on-year to approximately 1.1 million tons. The decline in long steel exports was particularly pronounced, falling by 30% year-on-year to 810,000 tons. NK K/F56 steel This was primarily due to increased billet imports from neighboring markets such as Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, which partially replaced existing rebar orders. Furthermore, exchange rate fluctuations and domestic policy restrictions also constrained finished steel trade. In contrast, flat steel exports surged from 103,000 tons to 280,000 tons, thanks to the continued capacity expansion and product diversification of Mobarakeh Steel and its subsidiaries.
Raw material exports continued to maintain high growth. Supported by Chinese demand, iron ore fines exports surged 78% year-on-year to nearly 4.1 million tons; pellet ore and direct reduced iron/hot briquetted briquettes exports increased by 9% and 30%, respectively, to 4.1 million tons and 560,000 tons.
The fourth month was almost the highlight of the year's exports. Although the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June briefly disrupted logistics, steel mills, leveraging pre-conflict production and unaffected power restrictions, accelerated the flow of goods overseas. Industry insiders stated that market participants were rushing to export whenever possible to prevent escalation of the conflict. NK K/F56 steel Meanwhile, rising geopolitical risks also dampened domestic demand. In that month, billet exports surged 88% year-on-year to 850,000 tons, while flat steel exports climbed from 26,000 tons to 110,000 tons. Regarding raw materials, iron ore fines exports surged 173.5% year-on-year to 1.1 million tons, while metallized product exports increased from 89,000 tons to 198,000 tons.
Market analysts believe that despite potential volatility due to summer power shortages and geopolitical risks, Iranian steelmakers' cost and production capacity advantages in semi-finished products and raw materials will support their exports in the second half of the year. If international market demand remains stable, Iran is expected to close the gap in finished steel exports by the end of 2025, ensuring continued positive export growth throughout the year.
