US raw steel production increased 37.2pc to 1.85mn nt (1.68mn mt) for the week ended Jul 10 from 1.35mn nt in the same week last year and capacity utilization moved up 38.6pc to 83.6pc from 60.3pc according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Compared to last week output inched up 0.5pc from 1.84mn nt and a capacity utilization rate of 83pc.
Production increased 16.7pc to 48.75mn nt between Jan 1 and Jul 10 from 41.77mn nt during the same prior-year period. The capacity utilization rate was 79.2pc from Jan 1 to Jul 10 compared to 66.7pc during the same period in 2020.
Regionally, compared to the same week a year ago, production increases occurred in all regions barring the Northeast with output down by 1.42pc to 139,000nt. Output in the Great Lakes rose 46.2pc to 642,000nt, output in the Midwest increased by 52.8pc to 191,000nt, output in the South rose 53.7pc to 804,000nt and the West’s output increased 24.6pc to 76,000nt.
Compared to last week production fell in all regions except the South with output up by 4.15pc from 772,000nt and the West’s output was flat at 76,000nt. Production was down in the Northeast by 3.5pc from 139,000nt, output in the Great Lakes fell by 0.93pc from 648,000nt, and output in the Midwest decreased 5.45pc from 202,000nt.
The estimated crude steel tonnage provided by AISI is compiled by combining weekly production figures from 50pc of domestic producers and monthly production data.