Features

AISI: Raw steel production eases further

June 17, 2024

Domestic raw steel production fell to a seven-week low last week, according to the latest release by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Total US steel mill output is estimated to have been 1,704,000 short tons (st) in the week ending June 15, down 12,000 st, or 0.7%, from the week prior. Raw production this week is 0.6% lower than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,715,000 st. Last week’s production is down 2.0% compared to the same week one year ago when production totaled 1,738,000 st.

The mill capability utilization rate was 76.7% last week. This rate is lower than the 77.3% rate recorded both one week prior and this time last year.

Year-to-date production stands at 40,494,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.4%. Annual production is down 2.8% from the same time frame last year, when 41,641,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 77.8%.

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

Northeast – 125,000 st (down 4,000 st)
Great Lakes – 554,000 st (up 12,000 st)
Midwest – 206,000 st (down 3,000 st)
South – 758,000 st (down 12,000 st)
West – 61,000 st (down 5,000 st)

Editor’s note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated. It should be used primarily to assess production trends. The monthly AISI “AIS 7” report is available by subscription and provides a more detailed summary of domestic 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.