U.S. Raw Steel Output Surges 19% as Capacity Hits 88.9%

Steel News | 2026-11-03 06:31:03 | By Paul Ploumis

U.S. steel mills produced approximately 2.053 million net tons of raw steel during the reporting week.

Summary

U.S. Raw Steel Production Jumps 19.2% Year-on-Year
U.S. steel mills produced 2.053 million net tons of raw steel during the week ending October 31, 2026, compared with 1.722 million net tons during the corresponding week of 2025. Capacity utilization surged to 88.9%, significantly higher than the 75.1% recorded a year earlier.
Weekly and Year-to-Date Steel Output Record Growth
Weekly raw steel production increased 15.7% from 1.774 million net tons recorded during the previous week. Adjusted year-to-date production reached 79.758 million net tons through October 31, marking a 6% increase over the corresponding period last year. Year-to-date capacity utilization also improved to 79.5% from 77%.
Southern District Leads Regional Steelmaking Activity
The Southern district accounted for the largest share of U.S. raw steel production, totaling 1.001 million net tons. The Great Lakes produced 518,000 net tons, followed by the Midwest at 328,000 net tons, the Northeast at 141,000 net tons and the Western district at 65,000 net tons.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): U.S. steelmakers reported significant jump in production during the week ending October 31, 2026, with domestic raw steel output climbing 19.2% year-on-year, according to the latest industry figures. Higher weekly production also pushed capacity utilization close to the 90% mark.

U.S. steel mills produced approximately 2.053 million net tons of raw steel during the reporting week. This compares with 1.722 million net tons in the corresponding week of 2025. The capacity utilization rate reached 88.9%, considerably above the 75.1% recorded a year earlier.

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The latest figures also indicate a substantial increase in production week-on-week. Output increased 15.7% from the 1.774 million net tons produced during the week ending October 24, 2026. Capacity utilization similarly advanced from 76.8% to 88.9%.

Adjusted year-to-date raw steel output through October 31 stood at 79.758 million net tons, representing a 6% increase over the 75.248 million net tons recorded during the comparable period last year. The year-to-date capacity utilization reported moderate improvement, rising from 77% in 2025 to 79.5%.

The Southern district dominating national production, accounting for 1.001 million net tons. The Great Lakes followed with 518,000 net tons, while the Midwest contributed 328,000 net tons. The Northeast and Western districts produced 141,000 and 65,000 net tons, respectively.