Iran steel export to Afghanistan halted, may resume in weeks
Iran’s exports of steel to neighboring Afghanistan have been suspended amid the current political and logistical turmoil in Afghanistan, Iranian steel industry sources told S&P Global Platts.
Iran's exports of steel to neighboring Afghanistan have been suspended amid the current political and logistical turmoil in Afghanistan, Iranian steel industry sources told S&P Global Platts.
Iran is Afghanistan's biggest steel supplier, typically exporting 300,000 mt – 350,000 mt/year to that nation, accounting for around 25% of Afghanistan's total steel imports, according to the sources. The exports are mainly of construction steel rebars produced by Esfahan Steel (ESCO) and by Khourasan Steel Co., which is close to Herat province, in western Afghanistan. Earlier this year ESCO signed an accord to supply steel rails to Afghanistan, according to local reports.
Steelmakers in Turkey, Pakistan, China and CIS nations also supply Afghanistan. The country also has some local domestic scrap-based billet and rebar production.
Iran's steel exports to Afghanistan started to dry up several weeks ago but the sources expect this trade to resume within weeks due to the importance of this market and the proximity to Afghanistan of some Iranian steel mills, which makes Iran a natural supplier.
"Export to Afghanistan, which was an important target market for rebar mills has been suspended about one month ago and there is no steel trade with this country at the moment," a Tehran-based trader told Platts Sept. 1. "Shipment of fuel to Afghanistan has begun but steel is not a top priority of this country for the time being."
A 225-kilometer railroad between Khaf in eastern Iran and Herat was inaugurated in December 2020, facilitating Iranian shipments to Herat.
Source: ICCMA
Related News
Top News
Six last month
Two last year
China, Indonesia seal $10 billion in deals focused on green energy and tech
Copper price, stocks are being hammered as Trump tariff, China worries mount
Suitors circle American Eagle Gold as South32 takes 19.9% stake
Codelco copper production rises in September, Escondida dips
US judge narrows investor lawsuit against Rio Tinto over Mongolian mine
Top gold ETF sees largest weekly outflow since 2022 on Trump win
Japan, Peru to agree on cooperation in mineral mining technology
MinRes halts Bald Hill mine amid lithium price rout
Ahead of Rio Tinto buyout, Arcadium’s profit dips on sliding lithium prices
Orano warns of financial problems at Niger uranium plant
Zimbabwe lithium miners want royalties to be linked to prices
Indonesia’s Jan-Oct nickel ore imports surge by 50 times from year ago
Hedge funds slash bullish wagers on gold over Trump election win
Families gather at South African mine shaft where hundreds are feared stuck underground
Soaring demand for copper will help drive mergers, BHP CEO says
Gold price faces worst week since 2021 as Fed signals no rate-cut rush
Lithium in nascent rebound, but long-term outlook is bleak
Higher silver supply to reduce global deficit by 4% in 2024
Swapping aluminum for copper will maintain China’s resources, group says
Orano warns of financial problems at Niger uranium plant
Zimbabwe lithium miners want royalties to be linked to prices
Indonesia’s Jan-Oct nickel ore imports surge by 50 times from year ago
Hedge funds slash bullish wagers on gold over Trump election win
Families gather at South African mine shaft where hundreds are feared stuck underground
Soaring demand for copper will help drive mergers, BHP CEO says
Gold price faces worst week since 2021 as Fed signals no rate-cut rush
Higher silver supply to reduce global deficit by 4% in 2024
Swapping aluminum for copper will maintain China’s resources, group says