Features
AISI: Raw steel output and capacity utilization slip
Written by Brett Linton
February 17, 2025
US steel mills produced an estimated 1,670,000 short tons (st) of raw steel last week, according to recently released American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures.
In the week ending Feb. 15, domestic steel output declined by 5,000 st, or 0.3%, compared to the prior week (Figure 1). While down, this marks the third-highest rate recorded across the past four months.
US production was 0.9% higher than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,654,000 st per week, but 3.2% lower than the same week last year.
Last week’s mill capability utilization rate was 75.0%, down from 75.2% one week prior. This time last year it was significantly higher at 77.7%.
Year-to-date mill output now totals 10,879,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 74.3%. This is 0.3% lower than the same period of 2024 when 10,912,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 75.4%.
Weekly regional production data and week-over-week (w/w) changes are as follows:
- Northeast – 122,000 st (up 2,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 487,000 st (down 9,000 st)
- Midwest – 247,000 st (down 3,000 st)
- South – 750,000 st (up 3,000 st)
- West – 64,000 st (up 2,000 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
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Features
Final Thoughts
Even before the news about Mexico, I didn’t want to overstate the magnitude of the change in momentum. As far as we could tell, there hadn’t been a frenzy of new ordering following President Trump’s announcement of 50% Section 232 tariffs. But higher tariffs had unquestionably raised prices for imports, which typically provide the floor for domestic pricing. We’d heard, for example, that prices below $800 per short ton for hot-rolled (HR) coil were gone from the domestic market – even for larger buyers.
Reibus closes down its online metals marketplace
The Atlanta-based company informed customers on Monday it is shutting down its metal division while continuing to operate the logistics business.
AISI: Raw steel production climbs to three-year high
Domestic steel mills are ramping up production, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), with output rising to a three-year high last week.
April steel exports fall to lowest level since 2020
US steel exports totaled 579,000 short tons (st) in April, according to US Department of Commerce data. That's the lowest monthly volume recorded since July 2020.
Final Thoughts
I want to draw your attention to SMU’s monthly scrap market survey. It’s a premium feature that complements our long-running steel market survey. We’ve been running our scrap survey since late January. And over just that short time, it’s become a valuable way not only for us to assess where scrap prices might go but also to quantify some of the “fuzzy” indicators - like sentiment and flows - that help to put the price in context.