U.S. Raw Steel Output Rises 4.8% Year Over Year as Mill Utilization Reaches 80%

U.S. mills produced 1.848 million net tons of raw steel in the week ended August 22, up 4.8% from a year earlier and 0.8% week over week, while capacity utilization increased to 80.0%.

By Paul Ploumis
Published August 27, 2026

MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): U.S. steelmakers increased raw steel production in the week ended August 22, 2026. According to the latest industry data, output reached 1.848 million net tons during the latest week. The figure was 4.8% higher than the 1.764 million net tons produced during the comparable week a year earlier.

Steel mill capacity utilization also improved, reaching 80.0% during the latest week. This compares with 78.2% a year ago, suggesting stronger operating levels across domestic steel mills in the U.S.

Weekly Steel Production Edges Higher

Raw steel production increased 0.8% from the previous week, when U.S. mills produced 1.833 million net tons at a capacity utilization rate of 79.4%. The modest weekly gain indicates that steel production remained relatively steady through late August.

Year-to-Date Output Remains Above 2025

Cumulative steel output increased during the reported period compared with the prior-year period. Adjusted production from the beginning of 2026 through August 22 totaled 61.011 million net tons, compared with 57.776 million net tons during the same period in 2025.

This represents growth of 5.6%. Capacity utilization averaged 79.0%, compared with 77.0% a year earlier.

The Southern district remained the largest producing region, contributing 866,000 net tons. The Great Lakes followed with 462,000 tons, while the Midwest produced 319,000 tons. The Northeast recorded 136,000 tons and the Western district contributed 65,000 tons.