Features

AISI: Raw steel production climbed last week

February 10, 2025

US mills produced an estimated 1,675,000 short tons (st) of raw steel last week, the highest weekly rate recorded since mid-December according to data recently released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

In the week ending Feb. 8, domestic mill output rose by 19,000 short tons (st), or 1.1%, compared to the previous week. This marks the second-highest production rate seen in the last four months (Figure 1).

Raw production was 1.4% higher than the year-to-date average of 1,652,000 st per week, but 3.0% lower than the same week one year prior.

Last week’s mill capability utilization rate was 75.2%. This is slightly higher than the previous week (74.4%) but lower than levels one year ago (77.7%).

Year-to-date production now totals 9,209,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 74.2%. This is 0.3% higher than the same period of 2024 when 9,186,000 st was produced at a capability utilization rate of 75.4%.

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

Northeast – 120,000 st (up 2,000 st)
Great Lakes – 496,000 st (down 7,000 st)
Midwest – 250,000 st (up 17,000 st)
South – 747,000 st (up 2,000 st)
West – 62,000 st (up 5,000 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 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.