Features

AISI: US steel mill raw output continues to grow

June 2, 2025

US raw steel production rose again last week, climbing to the highest weekly output recorded since last September, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

For the week ending May 31, domestic steel mills produced an estimated 1,757,000 short tons (st) of raw steel (Figure 1). Production increased 13,000 tons, or 0.7%, from the previous week.

Last week’s production was 4.5% above the year-to-date (YTD) average of 1,681,000 st per week and 2.8% higher than the same week in 2024.

The mill capability utilization rate rose to 78.2% last week, up from 77.6% the week prior and 76.9% one year ago. This is also the highest capability utilization rate witnessed since last September.

YTD production now totals 36,287,000 st with a capability utilization rate of 75.3%, 0.5% less tonnage than the same frame of 2024.

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

Northeast – 131,000 st (up 4,000 st w/w)
Great Lakes – 532,000 st (down 19,000 st)
Midwest – 235,000 st (down 19,000 st)
South – 793,000 st (up 38,000 st)
West – 66,000 st (up 9,000 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.