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AISI: Raw steel production eases from previous week's high

April 15, 2024

Domestic raw steel output slipped from last week’s multi-month high, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Total steel output in the US is estimated to have been 1,726,000 short tons (st) in the week ending April 13, down 1.1% from the week prior. Last week’s production is down 2.4% compared to the same week one year prior when production totaled 1,769,000 st.

The mill capability utilization rate was 77.7% last week, down from both the week prior (78.6%) and this time one year ago (78.6%).

Year-to-date production through mid-April was 25,223,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.4%. Annual production is down 2.4% from the same time frame last year, when 25,853,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 77.9%.

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

Northeast – 141,000 st (up 2,000 st)
Great Lakes – 573,000 st (down 15,000 st)
Midwest – 211,000 st (up 13,000 st)
South – 734,000 st (down 21,000 st)
West – 67,000 st (up 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 digital operations 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.