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SEATTLE (ScrapMonster): U.S. steel mills continued to lift production in mid‑March, even as weekly output eased slightly from recent highs. According to the latest data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), domestic raw steel production reached 1.774 million net tons for the week ended March 14, 2026, with mills running at a 76.7% capability utilization rate.
Source: AISI weekly production summary
Weekly Output Softens, Year-On-Year Trend Strengthens
On a year‑over‑year basis, the industry is on a firmer footing. Weekly production was up 4.2% compared with the corresponding week in 2025, when mills produced 1.703 million net tons at a utilization rate of 76.5%. The data point to a sector that has moved beyond last year’s trough, even as near‑term operating rates remain below pre‑pandemic peaks.
Week‑over‑week, however, output ticked lower. Production slipped 0.9% from the previous week ended March 7, 2026, when mills turned out 1.791 million net tons at a higher utilization rate of 77.4%. The marginal pullback suggests mills are calibrating melt schedules closely to order books and scrap availability rather than chasing volume at any cost.
Year-to-Date Production: Nearly 5% Above 2025
The broader trend shows a market gradually rebuilding momentum. Adjusted year‑to‑date raw steel output through March 14, 2026, reached 18.613 million net tons, with average capability utilization running at 77.2%. That compares with 17.738 million net tons during the same period a year earlier, a gain of 4.9%.
For flat‑rolled producers and scrap suppliers alike, the figures confirm that U.S. mills are operating at moderately higher levels than in early 2025, but still leaving slack capacity in the system. That combination supports steady demand for ferrous scrap while allowing mills to remain selective on grade, quality and freight.
Regional Snapshot: South Still in the Lead
Regionally, output remains concentrated in the South and Great Lakes—two districts that together account for more than two‑thirds of U.S. production.
- Southern district: 795,000 net tons
- Great Lakes: 505,000 net tons
- Midwest: 280,000 net tons
- Northeast: 133,000 net tons
- Western: 61,000 net tons
The regional mix underscores how newer electric‑arc furnace (EAF) capacity in the South continues to reshape the map of U.S. steelmaking, while legacy Great Lakes operations remain a critical anchor for flat‑rolled supply. For scrap processors, this distribution matters for trucking economics, grade flows and export alternatives.
Why the Numbers Matter for Scrap and Steel Markets
While AISI’s weekly report does not break down product lines, the combination of higher year‑on‑year tonnage and only modest week‑to‑week fluctuation implies a steel market that is stable but disciplined. Mills are running hard enough to support demand for prime and obsolete scrap, yet retained flexibility to trim output if order intake softens.
For market participants watching both steel and scrap benchmarks, this week’s figures sit alongside other key indicators on ScrapMonster. U.S. import permits, shipment trends and ferrous scrap price indices all feed into a more complete picture of mill appetite and buying behavior.
Further Reading on ScrapMonster
For readers tracking the full steel and scrap value chain, see:
- U.S. Steel Import Permits Drop 6.4% in January: AISI
- AISI: U.S. Steel Shipments Rise 4.9% Year-on-Year in 2025
- Global Ferrous Scrap Markets Post Mixed Trends in Feb 2026
- Global Steel and Stainless Steel Demand Is Growing – Stainless Espresso
For daily pricing and mill‑ready intelligence, visit the Scrap Monster Price Index and the Daily Scrap Metal Market Report hub.
