Steel Products

AISI: Raw Steel Production Sees Large Drop in South

Written by Becca Moczygemba

August 7, 2023

US raw steel production declined last week, with a significant drop seen in the South, according to data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) on Monday, August 7.

Domestic steel production decreased to 1,727,000 net tons for the week ended August 5, down 1.3% from the previous week when production was 1,749,000 tons. Production is higher than it was one year ago, however, when US output was 1,720,000 tons.

The mill capability utilization rate was 75.9% for the week, down from 76.9% the week prior. Utilization was also down from 78% in the same week of 2022.

Adjusted year-to-date production through August 5 was 52,870,000 tons at a capability utilization rate of 75.9%. That is down 2.2% from the same time frame one year ago when the utilization rate was 79.9%, AISI said.

Production by region for the week ending August 5 is below. (Note: Changes from the prior week are in parentheses.)

  • Northeast – 133,000 tons (down 1,000 tons)
  • Great Lakes – 549,000 tons (down 3,000 tons)
  • Midwest – 225,000 tons (up 6,000 tons)
  • South – 752,000 tons (down 30,000 tons)
  • West – 68,000 tons (up 6,000 tons)

Becca Moczygemba

Becca Moczygemba is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has been in the steel industry since 2017, specializing in flat-rolled products. Prior to joining SMU, she held positions at Mitsui & Co. and Kloeckner Metals. Becca has a BA in Organizational/Corporate Communication from the University of Houston and an MBA from Norwich University. Contact Becca at becca@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1000.

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