Features

AISI: US steel mill production remains elevated

July 7, 2025

Domestic steel mill output inched higher last week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Raw production remains historically strong and has been growing steadily since April.

US mills produced an estimated 1,781,000 short tons (st) of raw steel for the week ending July 5 (Figure 1). Output rose by 5,000 short tons (st), or 0.3%, from the previous week and sits just 6,000 st below the three-year high seen in mid-June.

Last week’s production was 4.8% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,700,000 st and 4.9% higher than the same week one year ago.

The mill capability utilization rate was 78.6%, down slightly from the previous week (79.1%) but well above one year ago (76.5%). Note that AISI updated its total capacity estimates last week, raising annual capacity from 116.8 million st to 117.8 million st. As a result, even though production rose, utilization declined.

YTD production now stands at 45,199,000 st with a capability utilization rate of 76.0%. Mills have produced 0.5% more steel this year than in the same period of 2024. Prior to June, 2025 output had been trailing last year’s pace.

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

Northeast – 123,000 st (up 2,000 st w/w)
Great Lakes – 563,000 st (up 3,000 st)
Midwest – 231,000 st (up 5,000 st)
South – 791,000 st (down 7,000 st)
West – 73,000 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

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.