Steel Products Prices North America
March Raw Steel Production
Written by John Packard
May 1, 2014
According to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) domestic raw steel production totaled 8,273,082 net tons (all products). Of the total 60 percent was produced by electric arc furnaces and the balance by blast/BOF furnaces. Carbon steel products totaled 7,681,790 net tons with 4,665,056 tons being produced by EAF’s and the balance, 3,016,734 tons by fully integrated mills.
Through the first three months 2014 total steel production was 23,849,005 tons (all products). Carbon steel products totaled 22,100,611 tons, and increase of 95,455 tons more than the first three months 2013.
Capacity utilization rates for the month of March were adjusted to 77.7 percent and for the year, 77.1 percent.
Below is a graph showing the monthly production levels on a three month moving average. After following a downward slope since September 2013, production levels increased in March to an average of 7,949,668 tons
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
SMU price ranges: Flat-rolled balloon continues to leak
Sheet and plate prices were flat or lower again this week on continued concerns about demand and higher production rates among US mills.
HRC vs. busheling spread narrows in August
The price spread between prime scrap and hot-rolled coil (HRC) narrowed in August, according to SMU’s most recent pricing data.
SMU Price Ranges: Market drifts lower still
All five of SMU's steel sheet and plate price indices declined this week, falling to lows last seen in February.
Discontentment brews in plate market with flat, status-quo pricing
Sources in the carbon and alloy steel plate market said they are less discouraged by market uncertainty resulting from tariffs or foreign relations, but are instead, eager to see disruption to the flat pricing environment.
Nucor lowers HR coil spot price by $15/ton
Nucor has implemented a double-digit price decrease on spot hot-rolled (HR) coil for the second consecutive week.