Features
AISI: Raw steel production climbs to 7-month high
Written by Brett Linton
April 28, 2025
US steel mills produced more raw steel last week than they have over the past seven months, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Domestic steel mill output was estimated at 1,706,000 short tons (st) for the week ending April 26 (Figure 1), marking the highest weekly total recorded since September 2024. Production rose by 24,000 tons, or 1.4%, compared to the previous week.
Last week’s production was 2.5% above the year-to-date average of 1,665,000 st per week and 0.6% higher than the same week in 2024.
The mill capability utilization rate was 76.0% last week, up from 74.9% the prior week but slightly lower than the 76.3% rate seen this time last year. Since the start of 2025, utilization has averaged 74.7%.
Year-to-date production now stands at 27,601,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 74.7%. Output is down 1.2% compared to the same period of 2024, when 27,924,000 st was produced at a rate of 75.9%.
Raw production increased week over week (w/w) in three of the five regions defined by AISI:
- Northeast – 126,000 st (down 4,000 st w/w)
- Great Lakes – 547,000 st (up 24,000 st)
- Midwest – 236,000 st (down 11,000 st)
- South – 729,000 st (up 13,000 st)
- West – 68,000 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
We’ve been talking about a potential inflection point for the past couple of weeks. And the market does appear to be nearing one.
SMU Survey: Sheet lead times inch up, plate moves lower
Sheet times ticked higher but remain within days of multi-year lows, territory they have been in since May. Plate lead times have shifted lower in the past month but remain about a week longer than they were at this time last year.
Worthington Steel becomes member of AISI
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has added Worthington Steel to its membership roster and elected Geoff Gilmore, president and chief executive officer of the steel processor, to its board of directors.
SMU Survey: Mills slightly less negotiable on spot pricing
Sheet and plate buyers say mills remain open to negotiating spot prices this week, though less so than in recent weeks, according to SMU’s latest market survey.
August service center shipments and inventories report
US service centers flat-rolled steel supply in August declined month-over-month (m/m) and year-over-year (y/y), according to SMU data.