US raw steel production fell 0.8pc to 1.77mn nt (1.61mn mt) from 1.79mn nt last week with a capacity utilization rate of 78.1pc for the week ended May 8, 2021, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Compared to the same week in 2020 output rose 45.1pc from 1.22mn nt and capacity utilization moved up 41pc from 55.4pc. Production moved up by 5.7pc to 32.09mn nt between Jan 1 and May 8 from 30.37mn nt during the same year-to-date period last year.
The capacity utilization rate was 77.4pc year-to-date through May 8 compared to 73.7pc during the same period in 2020. Total capacity rose by 256,000nt annually for the week ended May 8.
Regionally, compared to the same week a year ago, production increases occurred in the North East with output up by 59.6pc to 150,000nt, output in the Great Lakes rose 54.5pc to 615,000nt, output in the Midwest increased by 47.5pc to 180,000nt, output in the South rose 43.4pc to 753,000nt and the West’s output was up 19.9pc to 76,000nt.
Compared to last week production decreased in all regions except for the West where output rose 7pc from 71,000nt. Output fell in the North East by 6.25pc from 160,000nt, output in the Great Lakes declined by 0.2pc from 616,000nt, output in the Midwest dropped 2.7pc from 185,000nt and the South’s output declined 0.4pc from 756,000nt.
The estimated crude steel tonnage provided by AISI is compiled by combining weekly production figures from 50pc of domestic producers and monthly production data.