Features

AISI: Raw steel production ticks higher
Written by Brett Linton
August 4, 2025
Domestic mill output increased last week, according to the latest data published by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Production remains historically strong, holding near multi-year highs since early June.
Raw steel production was estimated at 1,782,000 short tons (st) of raw steel for the week ending Aug. 2 (Figure 1). Production increased 5,000 st, or 0.3%, from the previous week, just 5,000 st below the three-year high recorded six weeks ago.

Last week’s production was 4.2% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,710,000 st and 4.5% higher than the same week one year prior. YTD production now totals 52,346,000 st, up 1.1% from the same period of 2024. Prior to June, 2025 output had been trailing behind 2024 levels.
The mill capability utilization rate was 78.7% last week, up from 78.4% one week prior and 76.8% the same time last year. The capability utilization rate has averaged 76.4% so far this year.
Raw production increased week over week (w/w) in four of the five AISI-defined regions:
- Northeast – 123,000 st (up 10,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 561,000 st (up 2,000 st)
- Midwest – 234,000 st (up 2,000 st)
- South – 791,000 st (down 11,000 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
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