Steel Products Prices North America
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/media/k2/items/src/2c1ae5273d77a353d10d24f8ea29a485.jpg)
Weekly Steel Production, Utilization Slip 0.2%
Written by David Schollaert
June 29, 2021
Raw steel production by U.S. mills totaled 1,835,000 net tons in the week ended June 26, down 0.2% compared with the week prior when production was 1,839,000 net tons. The average mill utilization rate was 82.7%, also down 0.2% week on week, based on the available data compiled and reported by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Last week’s output represents a 44.3% increase from year-ago levels, when production was just 1,272,000 net tons and utilization was a meager 56.8% as steel mills continued to manage coronavirus-related disruptions.
The latest data from AISI indicates annual steelmaking production capacity was sideways for the first time in five weeks. The estimated annual capacity has decreased by 2.4% over the past four weeks, from 118.1 million tons to 115.3 million tons. The correction is in line with the associations’ ongoing review of its statistical process. As recently indicated, further changes are likely as permanently idled capacity is accounted for, while soon-to-be new capacity is introduced.
Although mill utilization is back in line with pre-pandemic levels and rising—it recently eclipsed the 80.0% mark for the first time since the week ended March 14, 2020—adjustments to production capacity have brought output down by 4.9% when compared to February 2020 levels.
Adjusted year-to-date production through June 26 was 45,054,000 net tons, at an average utilization rate of 78.8%. That’s up 15.2% from the same period last year when the utilization rate was 67.8% and production was 39,109,000 net tons, AISI said.
Following is production by district for the June 26 week: North East, 136,000 net tons; Great Lakes, 645,000 net tons; Midwest, 196,000 net tons; South, 785,000 net tons; and West, 73,000 net tons, for a total of 1,835,000 net tons. Production was down 4,000 net tons compared to the week prior. The increased output in the Great Lakes, Midwest, and South districts week on week, was offset by decreased output in the North East and West districts.
Note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated. The figures are compiled from weekly production tonnage provided by approximately 50% of the domestic production capacity combined with the most recent monthly production data for the remainder. Therefore, this report should be used primarily to assess production trends. The AISI production report “AIS 7”, published monthly and available by subscription, provides a more detailed summary of steel production based on data supplied by companies representing 75% of U.S. production capacity. Given the large number of changes to steelmaking capability in the current rapidly evolving market environment, AISI is undertaking a comprehensive review of its raw steel production and capability utilization statistics to ensure that they accurately reflect market conditions. Any updates to capability will be phased in over several weeks. Capability for the second quarter 2021 is approximately 29.3 million tons.
By David Schollaert, David@SteelMarketUpdate.com
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/SMU_DS_headshot.png-150x150.jpg)
David Schollaert
Read more from David SchollaertLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/CRU-Logo-2023-07-21-at-4.35.41-PM.png)
CRU: Longs pricing trends diverge in North, South America
Most longs prices in the US were unchanged this month, except for rebar, which declined by $1.50/cwt ($30/short ton) m/m. While end-use demand is stable, inventories are well-stocked, keeping purchases limited. Domestic availability is sufficient to meet current demand, hindering the appetite for imported material. Meanwhile, prices for scrap remained under pressure in June, with […]
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Nucor cuts plate prices by $125/ton, cites ongoing competition
Nucor Corp. announced that its plate mill group would cut prices for as-rolled, discrete, and normalized plate with the opening of its August order book.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Nucor cuts HR price for fourth straight week
Nucor lowered its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil by another $10 per short ton (st) for the first week of July. The steelmaker said in a letter to customers on Monday that its CSP base price for the week will be $670/st for all of its sheet mills with the exception of California Steel Industries (CSI).
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Cliffs_logo2.2.png)
Cliffs sets $720/ton HR price with opening of August books
Cleveland-Cliffs on Tuesday announced its monthly hot-rolled (HR) coil price of $720 per short ton (st) with the official opening of its August order book. The rate is down from last month’s price of $800/st.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/CRU-Logo-2023-07-21-at-4.35.41-PM.png)
CRU: Demand weakness continues to weigh on global sheet markets
Demand has remained persistently weak across the globe for sheet steel, weighing on prices. US HR coil prices fell the furthest this week as high-volume, low-priced deals were transacted as mills looked to fill order books and competed with one another amid relative demand weakness. Meanwhile, European prices were also down due to low demand […]