U.S. Raw Steel Output Rises 3.1% Year Over Year in Late August

Steel News  |  2026-09-01 03:26:13   |   By

The Southern district remained the country's largest producing region, accounting for 839,000 net tons during the week.

Summary
  • Weekly output increased year over year: U.S. mills produced 1.818 million net tons of raw steel in the week ended August 29, up 3.1% from 1.764 million tons a year earlier.
  • Year-to-date production remained strong: Adjusted output reached 62.829 million net tons through August 29, representing a 5.5% increase from the same period in 2025. Capacity utilization also improved to 79.0%.
  • Southern mills led production: The Southern district was the largest producer with 839,000 net tons, followed by the Great Lakes at 476,000 tons and the Midwest at 300,000 tons. However, weekly production fell 1.6% from the previous week.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): U.S. steelmakers increased raw steel production during the final week of August. The output increased when compared with the level recorded during the same week last year, according to weekly production statistics reported by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Domestic mills produced an estimated 1.818 million net tons of raw steel in the week ended August 29, 2026. This was 3.1% higher than the 1.764 million net tons produced during the corresponding week of 2025. Mill operating rates also edged higher year over year. Capacity utilization reached 78.7%, compared with 78.2% a year earlier.

ALSO READ:

U.S. Steel Imports Jump in July Despite YTD Drop

Global crude steel production drops 0.3% in July

However, production slowed from the previous week, when U.S. mills produced 1.848 million net tons at an 80.0% utilization rate. The weekly output recorded a decline of 1.6% from the prior week.

Despite the latest weekly dip, U.S. steel production has maintained a strong year-to-date pace. Adjusted output through August 29 totaled 62.829 million net tons, representing a 5.5% increase from 59.540 million net tons during the same period in 2025. The year-to-date capacity utilization rate stood at 79.0%, up from 77.0% last year.

The Southern district remained the country's largest producing region, accounting for 839,000 net tons during the week. The Great Lakes followed with 476,000 tons, while the Midwest produced 300,000 tons. The Northeast and Western districts contributed 135,000 and 67,000 tons, respectively.