US raw steel production increased by 1.2pc to 1.50mn nt (1.36mn mt) with a capacity utilization rate of 67.9pc for the week ended October 10, 2020, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Production is rising steadily after capacity utilization fell in mid-September. Compared to the same week in 2019, output declined by 16.8pc from 1.81mn nt, and capacity utilization fell by 13pc from the week ending October 10, 2019, when it was 78pc.
From January to October 10, production declined by 19.5pc to 60.95mn nt from 75.7mn nt during the same period in 2019. The year-to-date capability utilization rate stood at 66.2pc compared to 80.1pc last year.
Regionally, for the week ending October 10, 2020, production in the North East increased by 2.08pc to 147,000nt, Great Lakes’ output rose 1.32pc to 538,000nt, output in the Midwest decreased by 8.3pc to 154,000nt, the South’s production increased by 2.96pc to 592,000nt, and the West’s output rose by 7.58pc to 71,000nt.
Compared to the same week a year ago, production in the North East decreased by 28pc from 200,000nt, Great Lakes declined by 21.5pc from 685,000nt, Midwest dropped by 4.9pc from 162,000nt, the South fell by 15.2pc from 698,000nt, and the West decreased by 6.58pc from 76,000nt.
The crude steel tonnage provided by AISI is compiled by combining weekly production figures from 50pc of domestic producers and monthly production data.