May 15, 2013 (TSR) – Iran will leave the U.S. behind by the end of the current year to become the world’s third largest cement exporter, the Global Cement magazine wrote in its latest edition.
Iran is projected to export 18-20 million tons of cement in 2013, ranking the third place after China and India, IRNA cited the report.
Iran is currently exporting cement to 24 countries. Despite international sanctions against the Islamic Republic, cement exports from the country rose by 30 percent in 2012 compared to 2011, the report added.
Iraq, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Pakistan, and Qatar were the main destinations for Iranian cement in 2012.
Iran produced over 70 million tons of cement in the past Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 20, according to Iranian cement industry officials.
Iran’s cement output will reach 75 million tons by the end of the current Iranian calendar year.
Iranian Industry, Mines and Trade Minister Mehdi Ghazanfari said in August 2012 that the country’s cement production capacity will reach 110 million tons by 2015.
