Features

AISI: Raw steel production falls to three-month low

Written by Brett Linton

April 29, 2024

US raw steel production slipped again last week. It now stands at a 13-week low, according to the latest American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data.

AISI estimated total domestic steel output to have been 1,701,000 short tons (st) in the week ending April 27. That’s down 0.9% compared to the week prior.

The week ended Jan. 27 marked the last time weekly production was this low. At that time, AISI estimated that 1,680,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 75.6%.

Raw steel production through last week was down 0.6% compared to the year-to-date weekly average of 1,712,000 st. Last week’s production was also down 3.8% compared to the same week one year ago, when production totaled 1,769,000 st.  

The mill capability utilization rate was 76.6% last week, down from both the week prior (77.3%) and this time last year (78.6%).

Year-to-date production now totals 28,550,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.3%. Annual production is down 2.9% from the same time frame last year, when 29,391,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 77.9%.

Production by region

Weekly production by region is shown below, with the weekly changes noted in parentheses:

  • Northeast – 140,000 st (up 5,000 st)
  • Great Lakes – 572,000 st (down 4,000 st)
  • Midwest – 207,000 st (down 6,000 st)
  • South – 721,000 st (down 3,000 st)
  • West – 61,000 st (down 7,000 st)

Editor’s note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated. 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.

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.

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