Salient U.S. Iron And Steel Scrap, Pig Iron, And Direct-Reduced Iron Statistics

This table presents key statistics on the production, consumption, trade, and stock levels of iron and steel scrap, pig iron, and direct-reduced iron in the United States. These materials are fundamental inputs for the steel manufacturing industry, which is a critical sector for infrastructure, manufacturing, and national defense. Tracking these data points helps to understand supply chain dynamics, domestic production capacity, and international trade flows, all of which influence steel prices, industrial output, and economic health.

Analysis of the data from 2019 to 2023 reveals several notable trends. Direct-reduced iron production steadily increased from 2.99 million metric tons in 2019 to 5.48 million metric tons in 2023, reflecting growing adoption of this energy-efficient steelmaking method. However, exports of direct-reduced iron fluctuated sharply, dropping from 688 thousand metric tons in 2020 to just 25 thousand in 2021 before partially recovering to 172 thousand in 2023. Ferrous scrap production peaked at 74.8 million metric tons in 2019 but declined to 67.1 million metric tons by 2023, with shipments dropping significantly from 924 thousand metric tons in 2019 to 191 thousand in 2023. Pig iron production showed volatility, falling to 18.3 million metric tons in 2020 before rebounding to 22.5 million in 2023. Imports and exports across all categories indicate active trade, with ferrous scrap exports valued at $6.77 billion in 2023, down from $7.67 billion in 2022, and pig iron imports decreasing from 6.02 million metric tons in 2021 to 4.35 million in 2023. These fluctuations highlight the complex interplay of domestic production trends and global market conditions impacting the U.S. iron and steel raw materials sector.