According to Ibena, statistical figures by the Iranian Steel Producers Association (ISPA) suggest that exports of sponge iron had surged in the 11-month period ending late February by some 86 percent.
The figures showed that iron mills across Iran had shipped a total 942,000 metric tons of sponge iron, also Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), over the period, a significant increase compared to the similar period spanning 2018-2019.
Sponge iron exports in the previous calendar year had declined year on year by 25 percent, said the report.
The rising exports of the raw material comes despite a government move in September to impose a duty of 10 percent on sponge iron shipments to other countries. The tariff was aimed at preventing a shortage of sponge iron in the Iranian steel mills.
