US Steel Shipments Fall 2.1% in September to 8.05 Million Tons
Steel News | 2026-11-05 04:58:14
However, shipments fell 2.1% from August's 8.22 million NT, reflecting a modest month-on-month slowdown.
By Paul Ploumis
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): U.S. steel mill shipments declined in September 2026 compared with the previous month, according to the latest figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). However, cumulative shipments till September this year continued to outperform the corresponding period last year.
U.S. steel producers shipped 8.05 million net tons (NT) during September, marginally above the 8.03 million NT recorded in September 2025. However, shipments fell 2.1% from August's 8.22 million NT, reflecting a modest month-on-month slowdown.
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The broader shipment trend remained positive, despite decline in September. U.S. steel mills shipped a combined 72.01 million NT during the first nine months of 2026, representing a 4.8% increase from the 68.73 million NT shipped over the same period in 2025.
Among steel categories, corrosion-resistant sheet and strip shipments registered the strongest growth, climbing 10% year over year during January-September 2026. Hot-rolled sheet and strip shipments also advanced, increasing 8% year-on-year. In contrast, cold-rolled sheet shipments registered a marginal decline of 0.6% compared with the first nine months of 2025.
The latest AISI data indicate that U.S. steel shipments have sustained annual growth through September. At the same time, a month-on-month decline suggests that the shipment pace is likely showing signs of weakness in the final quarter of 2026.
POLL
Which U.S. steel product category recorded the strongest shipment growth during January-September 2026?
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much steel did U.S. mills ship in September 2026?
U.S. steel mills shipped approximately 8.05 million net tons during September 2026, according to AISI. This represented a 2.1% decline from August 2026 shipments of 8.22 million net tons, although the volume was slightly higher than September 2025.
- How did U.S. steel shipments perform during the first nine months of 2026?
Cumulative steel shipments reached 72.01 million net tons between January and September 2026, representing a 4.8% increase over the 68.73 million net tons recorded during the same period in 2025. This indicates continued annual growth despite the September monthly decline.
- Which U.S. steel product category recorded the highest shipment growth in 2026?
Corrosion-resistant sheet and strip recorded the strongest growth, with shipments increasing 10% year-on-year during January-September 2026. Hot-rolled sheet and strip followed with an 8% increase over the corresponding period.
