US Raw Steel Output Rises 5.6% YoY

Steel News  |  2026-08-04 07:52:34   |   By

The domestic raw steel production edged higher compared to both the previous week and the same period last year.

Summary
  • Weekly output rises: U.S. raw steel production reached 1.87 million net tons in the week ending August 1, 2026, up 0.6% from the previous week.
  • Strong year-over-year growth: Production increased 5.6% compared to the same week in 2025, while capability utilization improved to 81.0% from 78.2%.
  • YTD performance strengthens: Year-to-date steel output climbed 5.8% to 55.51 million net tons, with average utilization improving to 79.0%.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The U.S. steel industry continued to show steady momentum during the week ending August 1, 2026. The domestic raw steel production edged higher compared to both the previous week and the same period last year.

According to the latest data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), U.S. mills produced 1.87 million net tons of raw steel during the reported week. The capability utilization rate stood at 81.0%, indicating stable production levels across the country.

Compared with the corresponding week in 2025, the latest figures represent a 5.6% year-over-year increase. The output had totaled 1.77 million net tons and utilization stood at 78.2% during the year-ago week.

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Weekly production also edged higher by 0.6% from 1.858 million net tons recorded in the week ending July 25, 2026. During that week, mills operated at a utilization rate of 80.5%, AISI data said.

Through August 1, 2026, U.S. raw steel production reached 55.51 million net tons, marking a 5.8% increase from 52.48 million net tons produced during the same period in 2025. The year-to-date average capability utilization also improved from 77.0% a year earlier to 79%.

Among regional production centers, the Southern district remained the largest contributor with 860,000 net tons, followed by the Great Lakes at 496,000 net tons, the Midwest at 320,000 net tons, the Northeast at 125,000 net tons, and the Western region with 69,000 net tons.