Features

AISI: Domestic steel output ticks back up

June 23, 2025

Following a minor dip in mid-June, raw steel production rose last week to a new multi-year high, according to the latest data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). US mills have ramped up production since April, with weekly output steadily increasing in nearly every week since.

Domestic steel mills produced an estimated 1,787,000 short tons (st) of raw steel through the week ending June 21 (Figure 1). Output grew by 4,000 tons, or 0.2%, compared to the prior week, now at the highest unadjusted weekly figure recorded since May 2022.

Last week’s production was 5.5% above the year-to-date (YTD) average of 1,694,000 st per week and 4.9% higher than the same week the previous year.

The mill capability utilization rate was 79.6% last week, up from both the prior week (79.4%) and one year ago (76.7%).

YTD production now stands at 41,642,000 st with a capability utilization rate of 75.8%. Mills have produced 0.2% more steel this year than the same period of 2024. Before June, steel output in 2025 had been running behind 2024 levels.

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

Northeast – 120,000 st (down 9,000 st w/w)
Great Lakes – 564,000 st (up 8,000 st)
Midwest – 248,000 st (down 5,000 st)
South – 786,000 st (up 6,000 st)
West – 69,000 st (up 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.