Steel Products Prices North America
June 15, 2021
AISI: Steel Mill Utilization at 82.6%
Written by David Schollaert
Raw steel production by U.S. mills totaled 1,834,000 net tons in the week ended June 12, down a slight 0.3% compared to the week prior, but still at a healthy mill utilization rate of 82.6%. That compares to production of 1,272,000 net tons and mill utilization of just 56.8% in the same period last year when the market was disrupted by COVID-19, reported the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
The latest data from AISI points to a decreased annual production capacity in domestic steelmaking. The estimated annual capacity has decreased by 2.3% over the past four weeks, from 118.0 million tons to 115.5 million tons. Based on AISI’s ongoing review of its statistical process to “accurately reflect market conditions” (see footnote below), additional changes could be in store as the association accounts for newly added or permanently idled capacity.
