AISI: US raw steel output falls but up in three regions

Domestic steel production slipped for the week ended Dec. 9 but rose in three regions, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute’s (AISI’s) report on Monday, Dec. 11.

Raw steel production totaled 1,697,000 net tons, down 0.3% from the 1,702,000 tons produced the week prior. The largest fluctuation happened in the West, falling 4.3% week over week.

However, US output was a 7.7% increase from 2022 when 1,576,000 tons were produced.

The mill capability utilization for the week was 73.8% compared to 74.1% the week prior. During the same week in 2022, the mill capability utilization rate was 70.6%

Adjusted year-to-date production through Dec. 9 was 83,640,000 tons at a capability utilization rate of 75.5%. That is 0.2% less than the 83,802,000 tons produced during the same period last year when the rate was 77.5%.

Production by region is shown below with the week-over-week change shown in parentheses:

Northeast – 130,000 (up 3,000 tons)
Great Lakes – 555,000 (up 4,000 tons)
Midwest – 190,000 (up 2,000 tons)
South – 756,000 (down 11,000 tons)
West – 66,000 (down 3,000 tons)

Becca Moczygemba

Becca Moczygemba is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has been in the steel industry since 2017, specializing in flat-rolled products. Prior to joining SMU, she held positions at Mitsui & Co. and Kloeckner Metals. Becca has a BA in Organizational/Corporate Communication from the University of Houston and an MBA from Norwich University. Contact Becca at becca@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1000.