Features

AISI: Domestic mill output climbs higher

May 5, 2025

Raw steel mill output ticked higher last week, now up to the highest weekly rate recorded in over seven months, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Domestic steel mill output was estimated at 1,725,000 short tons (st) for the week ending May 3, the highest rate seen since September 2024 (Figure 1). Production rose by 19,000 tons, or 1.1%, compared to the previous week.

Last week’s production was 3.4% above the year-to-date average of 1,668,000 st per week. Compared to this time last year, production this week is 1.4% higher.

The mill capability utilization rate was 76.8% last week, up from both the prior week (76.0%) and the same week last year (76.6%).

Year-to-date production now totals 29,326,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 74.8%. This is 1.0% below the same frame of 2024, when 29,625,000 st had been produced at a rate of 75.8%.

Raw production increased week over week (w/w) in all of the five regions defined by AISI:

Northeast – 132,000 st (up 6,000 st w/w)
Great Lakes – 548,000 st (up 1,000 st)
Midwest – 237,000 st (up 1,000 st)
South – 737,000 st (up 8,000 st)
West – 71,000 st (up 3,000 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 senior 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.