Steel Mills

AISI: Weekly raw steel output ticks higher

February 4, 2025

The volume of raw steel produced by US mills increased slightly last week, according to American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. Last week’s production rate was the second-highest level so far this year.

Steel mill output was estimated to be 1,656,000 short tons (st) during the week ending Feb. 1 (Figure 1). Production rose by 15,000 tons or 0.9% from the prior week.

Weekly production was 0.5% higher than the year-to-date average of 1,647,000 st per week. Compared to the same week a year ago, weekly production is 0.8% higher this year.

Last week’s mill capability utilization rate was 74.4%, slightly above both the previous week (73.7%) and the same week last year (73.9%).

Year-to-date production now totals 7,534,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 74.0%. This is 1.0% higher than the same period of last year when 7,461,000 st had been produced at a capability utilization rate of 73.3%.

Weekly regional production data and week-over-week (w/w) changes are as follows:

Northeast – 118,000 st (down 5,000 st w/w)
Great Lakes – 503,000 st (down 2,000 st)
Midwest – 233,000 st (down 12,000 st)
South – 745,000 st (up 42,000 st)
West – 57,000 st (down 8,000 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 graphic included in this report shows unadjusted weekly data. The monthly “AIS 7” report is available by subscription from AISI and can provide 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.