Steel Products Prices North America

Weekly Raw Steel Production Drops 3.4%

Written by Brett Linton

March 31, 2014

For the week ending March 29, 2014, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. steel industry produced 1,820,000 net tons (NT) of raw steel, a 3.4 percent decrease over the previous week and a 0.4 percent decrease over the same week one year ago. The estimated steel capacity utilization rate is 75.7 percent, down from 78.4 percent last week and down from 76.2 percent last year. Readers should note that raw steel production for the week ending March 22nd was up significantly from near term historical standards, so production for this current week is back in line with previous production levels. 

Estimated total raw steel produced for 2014 YTD is reported to be 23,084,000 NT, down 0.4 percent from the 23,180,000 NT produced through the same period in 2013. The average capacity utilization rate for 2014 YTD is estimated to be 76.5 percent, down from 77.0 percent for 2013 YTD. Note that there has been a change in production capability for 2014- comparisons between 2013 and 2014 capacity utilization rates are against different production levels, so the total tonnage figures are best suited for yearly comparisons.

Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: North East at 210,000 net tons, down 19,000 tons. Great Lakes at 606,000 NT, down 66,000 tons. Midwest at 248,000 NT, up 2,000 tons. South at 667,000 NT, up 11,000 tons. West at 89,000 NT, up 7,000 tons. Total production was 1,820,000 NT, down 65,000 tons.

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{amchart id=”84″ Weekly Raw Steel Production from AISI}

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

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