Features

AISI: Raw steel production recovered last week

April 1, 2024

Domestic raw steel production rebounded from the seven-week low seen last week. It now stands at a three-week high, according to the latest release from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI)

Total steel output in the US was estimated to have been 1,722,000 short tons (st) in the week ending March 30, up 1.1% from the week prior. Raw production is up 0.2% compared to the same week last year, when production totaled 1,718,000 st.

The mill capability utilization rate was 77.5% last week, up from both the week prior (76.7%) and one year ago (76.9%).

Year-to-date production through the end of March was 21,752,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.2%. Annual production is down 2.6% from the same time frame last year, when 22,323,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 77.7%.

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

Northeast – 136,000 st (up 7,000 st)
Great Lakes – 584,000 st (up 8,000 st)
Midwest – 190,000 st (up 11,000 st)
South – 752,000 st (down 5,000 st)
West – 60,000 st (down 2,000 st)

Editor’s note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated. The figures are compiled from weekly production tonnage provided by approximately 50% of the domestic production capacity combined with the most recent monthly production data for the remainder. Therefore, this report should be used primarily to assess production trends. The AISI production report “AIS 7”, published monthly and available by subscription, provides a more detailed summary of steel production based on data supplied by companies representing 75% of U.S. production capacity.

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.