Features

AISI: Raw steel production jumps to 6-month high
Written by Brett Linton
April 1, 2025
Raw steel mill output from US mills rebounded last week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Production is now at the highest weekly rate recorded so far this year.
For the week ending March 29, domestic steel output was estimated at 1,697,000 short tons (st), an increase of 43,000 st, or 2.6%, from the prior week (Figure 1). The last time we saw mill output this high was in September 2024.

Last week’s production was 2.3% greater than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,659,000 st per week. Compared to this time last year, production this week is slightly up by 0.1%.
The mill capability utilization rate rose to 76.2% last week, up from 74.3% the previous week. However, it remains slightly below the 76.4% rate recorded this time last year.
Year-to-date mill output totals 20,868,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 74.5%. This is 1.3% lower than the same period in 2024 when 21,143,000 st was produced at a 75.8% utilization rate.
Weekly regional production data and week-over-week (w/w) changes are as follows:
- Northeast – 126,000 st (up 3,000 st w/w)
- Great Lakes – 508,000 st (up 20,000 st)
- Midwest – 231,000 st (up 7,000 st)
- South – 759,000 st (up 14,000 st)
- West – 73,000 st (down 1,000 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
SMU uses ferrous scrap survey data to take AI out on a test drive.

AISI: Raw steel output slips
Domestic mill output declined last week, according to the latest data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). While down, production remains historically strong, holding near multi-year highs since June.

Final Thoughts
Will a US-UK meeting next week prove a harbinger of tariff deals to come, or will it be just another case of having the rug pulled from under us?

SMU Week in Review: Sept. 8-12, 2025
As governments falter, ecosystems unravel, and moral compasses spin like casino wheels, the American steel industry remains stubbornly stable. Come, take a walk with me through a recap of this week's steel industry news...

Apparent steel supply remains elevated in July
Apparent supply totaled 8.88 million short tons (st) in July, down 38,000 st from June and 6% higher than the same month last year