Features

AISI: Raw steel production ticks up

January 13, 2025

Raw steel mill production increased last week, according to the most recently released American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. This three-week high comes just one week after production fell to a seven-week low.

Total US mill raw production was estimated at 1,659,000 short tons (st) through the week ending Jan. 11 (Figure 1). Production recovered 1.5% from the previous week and is 1.8% greater than the same week one year ago.

The mill capability utilization rate last week was 74.5%. This is higher than the previous weekly rate (73.6%) as well as the same week one year earlier (73.3%).

Year-to-date production now totals 2,593,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 74.1%. This is 1.3% higher than the same period of last year, when 2,560,000 st had been produced at a capability utilization rate of 73.3%.

Weekly production by region is as follows (weekly changes shown in parentheses):

Northeast – 128,000 st (up 4,000 st)
Great Lakes – 483,000 st (down 61,000 st)
Midwest – 240,000 st (up 20,000 st)
South – 750,000 st (up 57,000 st).
West – 58,000 st (up 4,000 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.