Steel Products Prices North America

Weekly Raw Steel Production at Lowest Level of the Year

Written by Brett Linton

April 7, 2014

For the week ending March 29, 2014, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. steel industry produced 1,762,000 net tons (NT) of raw steel, a 3.2 percent decrease over the previous week and a 3.9 percent decrease over the same week one year ago. The estimated capacity utilization rate is 73.3 percent, down from 75.7 percent last week and down from 76.6 percent last year. Production is being affected by the issues at USS Gary Works and USS Great Lakes as both plants are having issues with their steelmaking operations.

Estimated total raw steel produced for 2014 YTD is reported to be 24,846,000 NT, down 0.7 percent from the 25,014,000 NT produced through the same period in 2013. The average capacity utilization rate for 2014 YTD is estimated to be 76.3 percent, down from 76.9 percent for 2013 YTD. Note that there has been a change in production capability for 2014- comparisons between 2013 and 2014 capacity utilization rates are against different production levels, so the total tonnage figures are best suited for yearly comparisons.

Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: North East at 211,000 net tons, up 1,000 tons. Great Lakes at 565,000 NT, down 41,000 tons. Midwest at 238,000 NT, down 10,000 tons. South at 657,000 NT, down 10,000 tons. West at 91,000 NT, up 2,000 tons. Total production was 1,762,000 NT, down 58,000 tons.

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{amchart id=”84″ Weekly Raw Steel Production from AISI}

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

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