Features

AISI: US steel mill production keeps increasing

May 12, 2025

Domestic mill output continues to grow, with raw steel production rising last week to the highest rate recorded since last September, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

For the week ending May 10, US steel output rose for the third consecutive week to an estimated 1,740,000 short tons (st) (Figure 1). Production increased by 15,000 tons (0.9%) compared to the previous week.

Last week’s production was 4.1% above the year-to-date average of 1,672,000 st per week and 1.8% higher than the same week last year.

The mill capability utilization rate climbed to 77.5%, up from 76.8% the prior week and 76.9% one year ago.

Year-to-date production now stands at 31,066,000 st with a capability utilization rate of 74.9%. This is 0.9% below than the same time period of 2024, when 31,334,000 st had been produced at a 76.1% rate.

Regional production

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

Northeast – 133,000 st (up 1,000 st w/w)
Great Lakes – 552,000 st (up 4,000 st)
Midwest – 241,000 st (up 4,000 st)
South – 747,000 st (up 10,000 st)
West – 67,000 st (down 4,000 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.