Atotal of 3.4 million tons of cement and 7 million tons of clinker were exported from Iran during the current Iranian year’s first 10 months (March 21, 2021-Jan. 20), according to the secretary of Iran Cement Association.
“Overall cement production during the 10 months reached 52.6 million tons that show a 7% decline compared with the similar period of last year,” Abdolreza Sheikhan was also quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency, adding that 60.5 million tons of clinker were produced during the period under review.
The official noted that cement production declined due to shortage of energy supply to factories and a fall in domestic demand for construction material.
Gas and electricity supplies to cement factories have been restricted amid a rise in domestic consumption.
The country's cement production capacity is 85 million tons, of which 65 million tons are consumed domestically.
Iran was ranked the world’s seventh biggest producer of cement in 2020 by the United States Geological Survey, with an output of 60 million tons.
The ranking is unchanged compared with 2019.
Iran was the world’s eighth biggest cement producer in 2018 with 58 million tons, while Turkey was the seventh biggest producer with 72.5 million tons.
However, as Turkey’s production declined in 2019, Iran occupied the seventh place, according to the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation.