The MENA region produced 62.51 mln tons of direct reduced iron (DRI) in 2024, up 2.66pct YoY, according to Midrex. The region represented 44pct of global DRI output.
Iran led MENA production with 34.15 mln tons (+2.09pct YoY), making it the world’s second-largest producer after India. Saudi Arabia followed with 6.5 mln tons (-0.45pct YoY), while Egypt produced 6.37 mln tons (-0.78pct YoY).
Other notable producers included Algeria with 4.6 mln tons (+10.3pct), UAE with 3.48 mln tons (-3pct), Qatar with 2.03 mln tons (+18.7pct), Oman with 1.95 mln tons (+21.9pct), Libya with 1.77 mln tons (+7.27pct), and Bahrain with 1.53 mln tons (-5.5pct).
Globally, DRI output reached 140.8 mln tons in 2024, up 3.8pct YoY, driven mainly by India’s rotary kiln-based production. India produced 54.7 mln tons (+11pct), retaining its top position alongside Iran, with both countries accounting for over 60pct of global output.
