Features

AISI: Weekly raw steel production recovers for second week

Written by Brett Linton

October 21, 2024

Domestic raw steel mill production rose last week for the second consecutive week, according to the latest data released from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). While up week over week, production remains near one of the lowest rates recorded this year.

In the week ending Oct. 19, total raw steel mill output was estimated to have been 1,631,000 short tons (st). Production increased 11,000 st, or 0.7%, from the prior week. Recall that earlier this month, production had dipped to a 20-month low of 1,606,000 st (Figure 1). 

Last week’s production was 4.8% lower than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,714,000 st. Weekly production is 2.0% less than levels recorded one year ago, when mill output totaled 1,664,000 st. 

The mill capability utilization rate last week was 73.4%. This is up from 72.9% one week prior and higher than the 72.4% rate at this time last year.

Year-to-date production has reached 71,069,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.4%. This is 1.8% less than the same time frame last year, when 72,337,000 st had been produced at a capability utilization rate of 76.4%.

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

  • Northeast – 115,000 st (up 7,000 st)
  • Great Lakes – 581,000 st (up 11,000 st)
  • Midwest – 198,000 st (down 15,000 st)
  • South – 686,000 st (up 5,000 st).
  • West – 51,000 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. 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.

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