U.S. Raw Steel Output Up 3.3% Despite Weekly Decline
Steel News | 2026-07-21 08:09:27
The production was 3.3% higher than the corresponding week in 2025, when U.S. mills produced 1.771 million net tons and operated at a 78.2% utilization rate.
By Paul Ploumis
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The U.S. steel industry recorded a modest decline in weekly raw steel production. However, the overall output remained stronger than the same period last year, said the latest data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
For the week ending July 18, 2026, domestic steel mills produced 1.83 million net tons of raw steel. This represents a 0.5% week-on-week decline in steel output. The industry's capability utilization rate stood at 79.3%, slightly lower than the previous week's 79.7%, when production reached 1.84 million net tons.
The production was 3.3% higher than the corresponding week in 2025, when U.S. mills produced 1.771 million net tons and operated at a 78.2% utilization rate.
Through July 18, 2026, adjusted raw steel production totaled 51.782 million net tons, marking a 5.8% increase from 48.942 million net tons recorded during the same period a year earlier. Average mill utilization improved to 78.8%, compared with 77.0% in the corresponding period of 2025.
Among the regions, the Southern district continued to lead with 829,000 net tons. It was followed by the Great Lakes region at 483,000 net tons, the Midwest with 324,000 net tons, the North East at 124,000 net tons, and the Western district with 70,000 net tons.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How much raw steel did the U.S. produce during the week ending July 18, 2026?
U.S. steel mills produced 1.83 million net tons of raw steel, down 0.5% from the previous week.
- How did production compare with the same week in 2025?
Weekly production was 3.3% higher than the corresponding week in 2025, when output stood at 1.771 million net tons.
- What was the year-to-date raw steel production through July 18, 2026?
Adjusted year-to-date production reached 51.782 million net tons, a 5.8% increase over the same period last year.
