U.S. Raw Steel Output Rises 3.1% Year Over Year Despite Weekly Dip

U.S. mills produced 1.818 million net tons of raw steel in the week ended August 29, up 3.1% from a year earlier, while output declined 1.6% from the previous week. Year-to-date production remained 5.5% above 2025 levels.

By Paul Ploumis
Published September 1, 2026

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

Weekly Output Rises From 2025 but Slips From Prior Week

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.

However, production slowed from the previous week, when U.S. mills produced 1.848 million net tons at an 80.0% utilization rate. Weekly output declined 1.6% from the prior week.

Despite the latest weekly decline, U.S. steel production maintained a stronger 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.

Southern District Leads U.S. Steel Production

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 net tons, while the Midwest produced 300,000 net tons. The Northeast and Western districts contributed 135,000 and 67,000 net tons, respectively.