Steel Markets

AISI: Raw steel output jumps, capability surpasses 80%
Written by Brett Linton
August 26, 2024
Domestic steel mill production increased last week to one of the highest rates recorded in over a year, according to the latest data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Having risen for three weeks in a row, weekly production was at its highest since February 2023.
For the week ending Aug. 24, AISI estimated total raw steel mill output to have been 1,782,000 short tons (st). In the the largest weekly gain in the past six weeks, production increased by 28,000 st, or 1.6%, from the week prior.
Raw production last week was 3.6% higher than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,720,000 st, and 2.3% higher than a year ago when mill output totaled 1,742,000 st.
US mills operated at 80.2% of capabilities last week, AISI said. This rate was higher than in the week prior (79.0%) and at this time last year (76.6%).
Year-to-date production is up to 57,692,000 st with a capability utilization rate of 76.7%. This is 1.9% less than the same time frame last year, when mills operated at 77.2% of capabilities, producing 58,818,000 st.
Weekly production by region is shown below, with the weekly changes noted in parentheses:
- Northeast – 128,000 st (up 4,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 596,000 st (up 8,000 st)
- Midwest – 220,000 st (up 2,000 st)
- South – 774,000 st (up 11,000 st)
- West – 64,000 st (up 3,000 st)
Editor’s note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated and should be used primarily to assess production trends. AISI’s monthly “AIS 7” report is available by subscription and can provide a more detailed summary of domestic steel production.

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Markets

Steel buyer spirits tempered by soft spot market conditions
Steel sheet buyers report feeling bogged down by the ongoing stresses of stagnant demand, news fatigue, tariff negotiations or implementation timelines, and persistent macroeconomic uncertainty.

Hot-rolled coil buyers continue seeking certainty
Steel market participants contend that buyers will remain in “wait-and-see" mode until some market stability is restored.

Latin American steel advocates warn on cheap import flood
Subsidized Chinese steel imports and cheap steel products from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) entering Latin American (LATAM) are threatening the region's steel market.

CRU: Steel prices fall amid global demand weakness
The forceful headwinds bearing down on steel markets across the globe have created demand challenges and sent prices southward. The US, however, challenged the global trend.

Hot-rolled price hikes garner mixed reactions from the market
Several steel market sources say they were blindsided when mills increased spot prices for hot-rolled coils this week.