Weekly Raw Steel Production Up 1.3%

U.S. raw steel production has recovered after slipping for two straight weeks. Production by U.S. mills was estimated at 1,882,000 net tons in the week ending Oct. 16, while the average utilization rate equaled its highest reading all year at 85.3%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Output rose by 1.3% compared to the week prior when production was estimated at 1,858,000 net tons and average utilization was 84.2%. Last week’s production total represents a 21.5% increase from year-ago levels when the market was still recovering from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Output then was 1,549,000 net tons and utilization was 70.1%.

David Schollaert

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

David Schollaert

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