Features
AISI: Raw steel production stable last week
Written by Brett Linton
March 17, 2025
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
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Features
Final Thoughts
Sure, demand isn’t as good the market had hoped it would be earlier this year. But assuming it doesn’t fall of a cliff, buyers will have to restock at some point. And that might give domestic mills enough leverage to raise prices again.
AISI: Raw steel production dips, remains near multi-month high
Following three weekly increases, domestic mill output edged lower last week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Nippon eyeing new $4B U.S. Steel mill to sweeten deal: Report
Nippon Steel could build a new domestic U.S. Steel mill with a total investment of $4 billion.
Final Thoughts
While I would anticipate market sentiment to pivot and improve if all the questions around tariffs were answered, that still leaves us with a few other factors.
Steel 101: Step inside a live steel mill
Go beyond the classroom with a behind-the-scenes mill tour at SMU’s next Steel 101 – an immersive, expert-led introduction to steel production and market dynamics.