Features

AISI: Raw steel production slips to 5-month low
Written by Brett Linton
July 8, 2024
Domestic raw steel production tumbled last week to the lowest rate seen in five months, according to the latest release by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Throughout this year, the only time weekly production rates have been this low were the last three weeks of January.
Total US steel mill output is estimated to have been 1,695,000 short tons (st) in the week ending July 6. This is down 26,000 st, or 1.5%, from the week prior. Raw production last week was 1.1% lower than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,714,000 st. Production is down 0.1% compared to the same week one year ago when production totaled 1,696,000 st.
The mill capability utilization rate was 76.3% last week. This rate is lower than the week prior (77.5%) but up from this time last year (74.7%).
Year-to-date production is up to 45,569,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.4%. That is down 2.7% from the same time frame last year, when 46,813,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 77.7%.
Weekly production by region is shown below, with the weekly changes noted in parentheses:
- Northeast – 127,000 st (down 5,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 575,000 st (down 11,000 st)
- Midwest – 200,000 st (up 1,000 st)
- South – 730,000 st (down 10,000 st)
- West – 63,000 st (down 1,000 st)
Editor’s note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated and 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
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Features

Final Thoughts
We're going to have to wait a bit longer for the final outcome of the Nippon/USS deal.

Holiday notice: Memorial Day
Steel Market Update will be taking time off in observance of Memorial Day.

Global steel production retreats from March peak
Global raw steel production dipped from March to April, according to the latest release from the World Steel Association.

CFIUS completes Nippon/USS review, but outcome unknown: Report
The CFIUS report is in, but what it contains remains unknown.

SMU’s Week in Review: May 19-23
Here are highlights of what’s happened and a few things to keep an eye on this upcoming week.