Iran’s cement output up 18% over 5 month period

Iran cement production in the four months of the 2015/16 calendar year (starting 21 March 2015) totalled 20.89mn tonnes, says Abdolreza Sheikhan, secretary of the Iranian Cement Industry Employers. Exports during the same period reached 5.17 million tonnes. For the fourth month (starting 23 July), Iran produced 5.26 million tonnes and exported 653,999 tonnes. Total production and exports in 2014/15 were 66.4 million tonnes and 18.9 million tonnes respectively.

The Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO) gives national cement production at 15.77million tonnes between 21 March and 21 June 2015, along with 19.26million tonnes of clinker.

Exports during the 93-day period totalled 4.34million tonnes, while domestic sales stood at 12.67million tonnes.

For the month of 22 May - 21 June, Iran produced 5.88million tonnes of cement and 6.4million tonnes of clinker.

Iran exported 15 million tonnes of cement and clinker in 2015-16, down a fifth from the previous year.

Abdolreza Sheikhan, the Association of Cement Industry Entrepreneurs secretary, said that among the major export markets, Iraq (which accounted for 60% of shipments) raised tariffs from US$4 (€3.51) per tonne to US$13 during the year under review, while Azerbaijan has increased domestic production and reduced imports.

Iran now seeks to market cement in Africa and Central Asia.