Steel Products Prices North America
U.S Raw Steel Production Up Last Week
Written by Tim Triplett
May 8, 2018
Steel production for the week ending May 5 totaled 1,779,000 net tons, a 3.5 percent increase from the same period last year, and up 1.4 percent from the previous week. The mill capability utilization rate for the May 5 week averaged 75.9 percent, up from 74.8 percent the prior week and 73.7 percent the prior year, reports the American Iron and Steel Institute. Peak capacity utilization for the year was 78.7 percent in early March.
Adjusted year-to-date producton through May 5 totaled 31,502,000 net tons at a capability utilization rate of 75.6 percent. That’s up 1.7 percent from 30,971,000 tons in the same period last year when the capability utilization was 74.4 percent.
Following is production by district for the week of May 5: North East: 216,000 net tons; Great Lakes, 670,000 net tons; Midwest, 148,000 net tons; South, 667,000 net tons; and West, 78,000 net tons, for a total of 1,779,000.
Note, mill capability for second-quarter 2018 is approximately 30.5 million tons, compared to 30.3 million tons for the same period last year and 30.0 million tons for first-quarter 2018.
The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated. The figures are compiled from weekly production tonnage from 50 percent of the domestic producers combined with monthly production data for the remainder. Therefore, this report should be used primarily to assess production trends. The AISI monthly production report provides a more detailed summary of steel production based on data supplied by companies representing 75 percent of U.S. production capacity.
Below is a graph showing the history of weekly raw steel production. You will need to view the graph on our website to use its interactive features; you can do so by clicking here. If you need assistance logging into or navigating the website, please contact our office at 800-432-3475 or info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.
Tim Triplett
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