US Raw Steel Output Tops Last Year Despite Weekly Decline
Steel News | 2026-07-14 05:11:12
The adjusted production from the beginning of the year through July 11 reached 49.95 million net tons, representing a 5.9% increase over the same period in 2025.
By Paul Ploumis
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): U.S. raw steel production continued to outperform last year's levels, although output slipped slightly compared with the previous week, according to the latest industry figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) for the week ending July 11, 2026.
The domestic U.S. steel mills produced an estimated 1.84 million net tons of raw steel during the week. The mill utilization rate stood at 79.7%, AISI data said.
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Compared with the corresponding week in 2025, domestic steel production increased by 3.9%. During the same period a year ago, mills produced 1.771 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 78.2%. However, on a week-over-week basis, output declined by 0.9% from the 1.856 million net tons recorded in the previous reporting week, when utilization was slightly higher at 80.4%.
The adjusted production from the beginning of the year through July 11 reached 49.95 million net tons, representing a 5.9% increase over the same period in 2025. Average capacity utilization for the year-to-date improved to 78.8%, compared with 77.0% a year earlier.
Among regions, the Southern district remained the largest contributor with 833,000 net tons of steel, followed by the Great Lakes region at 491,000 net tons. The Midwest, Northeast, and Western districts produced 313,000, 135,000, and 68,000 net tons, respectively.
POLL
Despite a 0.9% week-over-week dip, U.S. raw steel production is up 5.9% year-to-date. What do you think is driving the overall 2026 growth trend?
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much raw steel was produced in the U.S. during the week ending July 11, 2026?
Domestic steel mills produced an estimated 1.84 million net tons of raw steel with a capacity utilization rate of 79.7%.
- How does the production figure compare to the same period last year?
Output grew by 3.9% year-over-year. During the corresponding week in 2025, mills produced 1.771 million net tons at a 78.2% utilization rate.
- Did production increase or decrease compared to the previous week?
Production experienced a slight dip, declining 0.9% from the 1.856 million net tons (80.4% utilization) recorded in the week ending July 4.
