Steel Markets

AISI: Raw steel production rises for second consecutive week
Written by Brett Linton
May 14, 2024
Domestic raw steel production last week ticked up for a second consecutive week to a three-week high, according to the latest data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Total US steel mill output is estimated to have been 1,715,000 short tons (st) in the week ending May 11, up 6,000 st or 0.4% from the week prior. Raw production this week is 0.2% higher than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,712,000 st. Last week’s production is down 2.2% compared to the same week one year ago when production totaled 1,754,000 st.
The mill capability utilization rate was 77.2% last week This rate is higher than last week (77.0%) but down from this time last year (77.9%).
Year-to-date production is now up to 31,974,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.3%. Annual production is down 2.8% from the same time frame last year when 32,905,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 77.9%.
Weekly production by region is shown below, with the weekly changes noted in parentheses:
- Northeast – 140,000 st (up 7,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 561,000 st (down 5,000 st)
- Midwest – 208,000 st (up 11,000 st)
- South – 744,000 st (up 4,000 st)
- West – 62,000 st (down 11,000 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
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Markets

Sheet market participants say sales still in a slump
Across the US and throughout the steel supply chain, market participants are reporting another painfully quiet week for hot-rolled (HR) coil sales.

CRU: Lower sheet prices have pulled back demand for imports
Domestic sheet prices in the US remained under pressure, limiting interest in imports, while domestic prices for longs products continued to rise.

President Trump intends to set additional steel tariffs
While boarding Airforce One on Friday, US President Donald Trump stated that he would be setting more steel tariffs and putting ~100% tariffs on semiconductors and chips.

USS, government officials give update on Clairton Coke Works incident
U.S. Steel, Allegheny County executive Sara Innamorato, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro clarified details from early reports about the Clairton Coke Works facility explosion just one day earlier.

Hot-rolled spot market conditions linger, prices slip
Market participants said they have high hopes that the stable hot-rolled spot market will improve as the year rolls on.