U.S. Raw Steel Output Falls 5.1% Weekly Despite Annual Growth

Steel News  |  2026-10-27 04:21:22   |   By

U.S. domestic mills produced an estimated 1.774 million net tons during the latest reporting week, marking a 5.1% decline from the 1.870 million net tons recorded in the week ended October 17.

Summary

  • Weekly U.S. Steel Production Declines

    U.S. raw steel output dropped 5.1% to 1.774 million net tons in the week ended October 24, 2026, from 1.870 million net tons in the preceding week. Capacity utilization also declined to 76.8% from 80.9%, indicating a slowdown in weekly mill activity.

  • Annual and Year-to-Date Output Maintain Growth

    Despite the weekly decline, production was 3.0% higher than the 1.722 million net tons recorded during the corresponding week in 2025. Adjusted year-to-date production climbed 5.3% to 77.405 million net tons, while capacity utilization increased to 79.0% from 77.0% a year earlier.

  • Southern District Leads Regional Production

    The Southern district remained the largest contributor to U.S. steel output, producing 726,000 net tons during the reporting week. The Great Lakes followed with 514,000 net tons, ahead of the Midwest at 330,000 tons, the Northeast at 138,000 tons and the Western district at 66,000 tons.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): U.S. raw steel production retreated in the week ended October 24, 2026, despite maintaining growth over the corresponding period last year, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

U.S. domestic mills produced an estimated 1.774 million net tons during the latest reporting week, marking a 5.1% decline from the 1.870 million net tons recorded in the week ended October 17. Capacity utilization also slipped to 76.8%, compared with 80.9% a week earlier, AISI data said.

On an annual basis, output increased 3.0% from the 1.722 million net tons produced during the corresponding week in 2025.

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Cumulative production continued to reflect stronger industry performance. Adjusted year-to-date output through October 24 reached 77.405 million net tons, representing a 5.3% increase from the 73.526 million net tons reported over the comparable period last year. Capacity utilization of domestic steel mills for the current year-to-date period stood at 79.0%, against 77.0% a year earlier.

The Southern district remained the largest producing region, accounting for 726,000 net tons of production during the latest week. The Great Lakes followed with 514,000 net tons, while the Midwest contributed 330,000 net tons. The Northeast produced 138,000 net tons, and the Western district recorded 66,000 net tons.

The latest weekly report highlights a short-term production slowdown, despite a sustained year-to-date growth in U.S. steelmaking activity.