U.S. Raw Steel Output Rises 7% YoY on Higher Mill Utilization

Steel News | 2026-09-15 20:52:50

U.S. raw steel production reached 1.90 million net tons in the week ended September 12, rising 7.0% year over year and 5.1% from the previous week. Mill capability utilization increased to 82.3%, while year-to-date output remained 5.5% above 2025 levels.

U.S. Raw Steel Output Rises 7% YoY on Higher Mill Utilization

Summary

Weekly U.S. steel output increased sharply
U.S. steelmakers produced 1.90 million net tons of raw steel during the week ended September 12, 2026, up 7.0% from 1.775 million tons in the corresponding week of 2025. Production also increased 5.1% from the previous week's 1.808 million net tons.
Mill utilization reached 82.3%
Steelmaking capacity utilization improved significantly from 78.4% a year earlier and 78.3% during the preceding week. Year-to-date utilization also strengthened to 79.1%, compared with 77.2% during the same period in 2025.
Southern district led regional production
The Southern district remained the largest U.S. steel-producing region, accounting for 876,000 net tons during the week. The Great Lakes produced 538,000 tons, followed by the Midwest with 296,000 tons, while the Northeast and Western districts produced 126,000 and 64,000 tons, respectively.

U.S. Raw Steel Output Rises 7% as Mill Utilization Reaches 82.3%

U.S. raw steel production reached 1.90 million net tons in the week ended September 12, increasing 7.0% from a year earlier and 5.1% from the previous week as capability utilization climbed to 82.3%.

By Paul Ploumis
Published September 15, 2026
Reporting week ended September 12, 2026

Key Points

U.S. raw steel output reached 1.90 million net tons, up 7.0% from 1.775 million tons in the comparable 2025 week.
Production increased 5.1% from 1.808 million net tons in the preceding week.
Capability utilization rose to 82.3%, compared with 78.4% a year earlier and 78.3% in the previous week.
Year-to-date production totaled 66.537 million net tons, up 5.5% from the comparable 2025 period.
The Southern district led regional production with 876,000 net tons.

MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): U.S. steelmakers increased raw steel production during the week ended September 12, 2026, with both output and mill utilization rising from year-earlier and previous-week levels.

Weekly production totaled 1.90 million net tons, up 7.0% from the 1.775 million net tons produced during the comparable week in 2025.

Steel mills operated at a capability utilization rate of 82.3%, compared with 78.4% a year earlier.

Weekly Output Rises 5.1%

Production also strengthened from the preceding week.

Raw steel output increased 5.1% from 1.808 million net tons during the week ended September 5, 2026.

Capability utilization rose from 78.3% to 82.3% over the same period.

Year-to-Date Production Up 5.5%

Adjusted U.S. raw steel production through September 12 totaled 66.537 million net tons.

That represented a 5.5% increase from 63.093 million net tons during the corresponding period in 2025.

Year-to-date capability utilization stood at 79.1%, compared with 77.2% a year earlier.

Southern District Leads Regional Output

The Southern district remained the largest U.S. steel-producing region, with output of 876,000 net tons during the week.

The Great Lakes followed with 538,000 net tons, while the Midwest produced 296,000 net tons.

The Northeast accounted for 126,000 net tons and the Western district produced 64,000 net tons.

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What was the key development in U.S. steel production during the week ended September 12, 2026?

Weekly output increased 7% year over year

Mill utilization fell below 75%

The Northeast became the leading producing region

Frequently Asked Questions

How much raw steel did U.S. mills produce during the latest week?

U.S. steelmakers produced 1.90 million net tons of raw steel during the week ended September 12, 2026. This represented a 7.0% increase from 1.775 million net tons produced during the comparable week in 2025.

How did U.S. steel mill utilization change?

Capability utilization rose to 82.3% during the latest week, compared with 78.4% a year earlier. It also improved from 78.3% during the preceding week, indicating stronger operating activity at U.S. steel mills.

What was U.S. steel production year to date?

Adjusted U.S. raw steel production reached 66.537 million net tons through September 12, 2026. This was 5.5% higher than the 63.093 million tons recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, while year-to-date capability utilization increased to 79.1%.