US raw steel production fell 0.3pc to 1.79mn nt (1.63mn mt) from 1.8mn nt last week with a capacity utilization rate of 79pc for the week ended May 22, 2021, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Compared to the same week in 2020 output rose 46.6pc from 1.22mn nt and capacity utilization moved up by 44.7pc from 54.6pc. Production increased by 8.7pc to 35.68mn nt between Jan 1 and May 22 from 32.81mn nt during the same year-to-date period last year.
The capacity utilization rate was 77.6pc from Jan 1 to May 22 compared to 69.9pc during the same period in 2020. Total capacity fell by 959,000nt on an annual basis for the week ended May 22.
Regionally, compared to the same week a year ago, production increases occurred in the North East with output up by 57pc to 146,000nt, output in the Great Lakes rose by 57.2pc to 621,000nt, output in the Midwest was up by 44.9pc to 184,000nt, the South’s production rose by 47.4pc to 762,000nt and the West’s output increased 35.6pc to 80,000nt.
Compared to last week, production decreased in the North East by 3.3pc from 151,000nt last week, output in the Midwest fell by 1.6pc from 187,000nt and the South’s output declined by 0.7pc from 767,000nt. Production increases occurred in the Great Lakes with output up by 0.81pc from 616,000nt and the West’s output rose 2.6pc from 78,000nt last week.
The estimated crude steel tonnage provided by AISI is compiled by combining weekly production figures from 50pc of domestic producers and monthly production data.