AISI: Raw steel production levels off near six-month high

Domestic steel mill output was estimated at 1,682,000 short tons (st) in the week ending April 19 (Figure 1). Production declined by 7,000 tons, or 0.4%, compared to the previous week.

Last week’s production was 1.2% above the year-to-date average of 1,662,000 st per week. Compared to this time last year, production this week is down by 0.8%. 

The mill capability utilization rate last week was 74.9%, down slightly from the prior week (75.2%) and down from this time last year (76.3%). Since the start of 2025, the capability utilization rate has averaged 74.6%.

Year-to-date production totals 25,895,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 74.6%. This is 1.3% less than the same period of last year when 26,229,000 st had been produced at a rate of 75.9%.

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

• Northeast – 130,000 st (up 3,000 st w/w)
• Great Lakes – 523,000 st (down 26,000 st)
• Midwest – 247,000 st (down 1,000 st)
• South – 716,000 st (up 19,000 st)
• West – 66,000 st (down 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.