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U.S. Raw Steel Production Rises 3.9% Year Over Year in Mid-August
U.S. steelmakers increased raw steel output during the week ended August 15, 2026, according to the latest statistics published by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Production reached 1.833 million net tons during the most recent week.
What Readers Should Know
- Weekly U.S. raw steel output: 1.833 million net tons.
- Week-over-week increase: 0.7% from 1.820 million net tons.
- Capacity utilization: 79.4%, up from 78.8% the prior week.
- Year-over-year increase: 3.9% versus 1.764 million net tons in the same 2025 week.
- 2026 YTD production through Aug 15: 59.163 million net tons, up 5.6% year over year.
- Southern district led weekly output with 830,000 net tons.
Why Production Increased
U.S. steelmakers raised raw steel output in the week ended August 15, 2026, as mill activity strengthened and capacity utilization improved. The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported weekly production of 1.833 million net tons, marking a 0.7% increase from the 1.820 million net tons produced in the previous week.
Mill capacity utilization also improved, rising to 79.4% from 78.8% a week earlier, indicating tighter operating schedules and stronger throughput across domestic facilities.
Year-Over-Year Performance
Compared with the same week in 2025, steel production climbed 3.9%. During the corresponding week last year, mills produced 1.764 million net tons at a utilization rate of 78.2%.
2026 Year-to-Date Output
Cumulative production for 2026 through August 15 reached 59.163 million net tons. This was 5.6% above the 56.012 million net tons recorded during the corresponding period last year. Capacity utilization for the year so far stood at 79.0%, up from 77.0% a year earlier.
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Regional Production Breakdown
The Southern district remained the largest producing region during the latest week, contributing 830,000 net tons. The Great Lakes followed with 479,000 tons, while the Midwest produced 318,000 tons. The Northeast accounted for 140,000 tons, and the Western district reported production of 66,000 tons.
People Also Ask
How much raw steel did U.S. mills produce in the latest week?
U.S. steelmakers produced 1.833 million net tons of raw steel during the week ended August 15, 2026.
How did weekly output compare with the previous week?
Production increased 0.7% from 1.820 million net tons, while capacity utilization improved from 78.8% to 79.4%.
What was the year-over-year change in production?
Weekly output rose 3.9% compared with the same week in 2025, when mills produced 1.764 million net tons at 78.2% utilization.
How much steel has the U.S. produced so far in 2026?
Cumulative raw steel production reached 59.163 million net tons through August 15, 2026, up 5.6% from the corresponding period in 2025.
Which region produced the most steel last week?
The Southern district led weekly output with 830,000 net tons, followed by Great Lakes (479,000), Midwest (318,000), Northeast (140,000), and West (66,000).
Courtesy: ScrapMonster
