AISI: Raw steel production stable last week

Raw steel mill output held steady last week following its rebound the prior week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Production remains at one of the higher rates recorded so far this year.

Domestic steel mill production was estimated at 1,667,000 short tons (st) in the week ending March 15 (Figure 1). Production declined by 4,000 tons, or 0.2%, from the previous week.

Last week’s production was 0.7% above the year-to-date average of 1,656,000 st per week. Compared to this time last year, production this week is down by 1.7%.

The latest mill capability utilization rate was 74.9%. This is marginally lower than the previous week (75.0%), but considerably lower than this time last year (76.4%).

Year-to-date production totals 17,517,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 74.4%. This is 1.3% less than the same period of last year, when 17,751,000 st had been produced at a rate of 75.8%.

Raw production increased this week in three of the five regions, as reported by AISI:

Northeast – 120,000 st (down 8,000 st w/w)
Great Lakes – 475,000 st (up 3,000 st)
Midwest – 240,000 st (up 3,000 st)
South – 771,000 st (up 9,000 st)
West – 61,000 st (down 11,000 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 digital operations 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.