Features

AISI: Raw steel production ticks back up

July 28, 2025

US raw steel output rebounded last week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Mill production remains historically strong, with output holding at or near multi-year highs since early June.

Domestic mills produced an estimated 1,777,000 short tons (st) of raw steel for the week ending July 26 (Figure 1). Output increased 9,000 st, or 0.5%, week over week (w/w), which is just 10,000 st below the three-year high set five weeks ago.

Last week’s production was 4.1% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,708,000 st and 4.8% higher than the same week one year prior. Production for the year now totals 50,527,000 st, up 0.9% from the same period last year. Prior to June, 2025 output had been trailing 2024 levels.

The mill capability utilization rate was 78.4% last week. This is up from 78.0% one week prior and well above the 76.4% rate seen one year ago. The capability utilization rate has averaged 76.3% so far this year.

Raw production increased w/w in three of the five AISI-defined regions:

Northeast – 113,000 st (down 5,000 st)
Great Lakes – 559,000 st (down 2,000 st)
Midwest – 232,000 st (up 9,000 st)
South – 802,000 st (up 4,000 st)
West – 71,000 st (up 3,000 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.