US raw steel production decreased 0.3pc to 1.76mn nt (1.6mn mt) from 1.77mn nt last week with a capacity utilization rate of 77.6pc for the week ended April 10, 2021, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Compared to the same week in 2020 output rose 42pc from 1.24mn nt and capacity utilization moved up 40pc from 55.4pc. Production fell by 1.9pc to 24.93mn nt between Jan 1 and Apr 10 from 25.43mn nt during the same year-to-date period last year.
The capacity utilization rate was 77pc year-to-date through April 10 compared to 73.7pc during the same period in 2020. Total capacity decreased by 2.1mn nt annually for the week ended April 10.
Regionally, compared to the same week a year ago, production increases occurred in the North East with output up by 48pc to 154,000nt, output in the Great Lakes rose 44.9pc to 623,000nt, output in the Midwest was up by 43pc to 175,000nt, output in the South rose 33pc to 740,000nt and the West’s output surged 56.8pc to 69,000nt.
Compared to last week production fell in all regions except in the Great Lakes where output was up 2.1pc from 610,000nt.
The estimated crude steel tonnage provided by AISI is compiled by combining weekly production figures from 50pc of domestic producers and monthly production data.