Features
AISI: Raw steel production eases after recent high
Written by Brett Linton
July 21, 2025
Domestic steel mill output edged lower last week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). While down, production remains historically strong since peaking in early June.
US mills produced an estimated 1,768,000 short tons (st) of raw steel for the week ending July 19 (Figure 1). Output declined 15,000 st, or 0.8%, week over week (w/w), sitting 19,000 st below the three-year high recorded in mid-June.
Last week’s production was 3.7% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,705,000 st and 4.2% higher than the same week one year ago. YTD production now stands at 48,750,000 st, up 0.8% from the same period of 2024. Prior to June, 2025 output had lagged behind last year.
The mill capability utilization rate was 78.0% last week, down from the previous week (78.7%), but higher than the same week last year (76.4%). The capability utilization rate has averaged 76.2% so far this year.
Raw production decreased w/w in four of the five AISI-defined regions:
- Northeast – 118,000 st (down 3,000 st w/w)
- Great Lakes – 561,000 st (down 9,000 st)
- Midwest – 223,000 st (down 10,000 st)
- South – 798,000 st (up 8,000 st)
- West – 68,000 st (down 1,000 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
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Features
Final Thoughts
What to look out for regarding ferrous scrap ahead of Steel Summit.
Leibowitz on Trade: Bringing manufacturing back to the US
Industries that use steel in manufacturing employ many more workers than steel production. Raising the cost of steel for these customers will not increase manufacturing employment. In fact, it will probably hit employment hard.
Drill rig activity rises in US and Canada
Drilling activity increased in both the US and Canada for the week ended July 18, according to the latest data from Baker Hughes.
China hits out at Canadian tariff actions
The Chinese government has threatened countermeasures on Canada following the Canadian government's announcement on curbing steel imports, according to media reports.