Features

AISI: Raw steel output edges down

Written by Ethan Bernard

September 2, 2025

US raw steel production slipped in the week ending on Aug. 30 after an increase the week before, according to the most recent data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Domestic mills produced 1,769,000 short tons (st) last week, off 0.6% from a week earlier. However, that marks a 2.5% rise from the 1,726,000 st produced in the same week last year.

The capability utilization rate was 78.1% last week, down from 78.6% the previous week, but up from 77.7% a year earlier.

Adjusted year-to-date production (YTD) through Aug. 30 was 59,469,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.7%. That’s a 1.4% jump from 58,672,000 st at 76.4% during the same time last year.

Here are the raw production figures week over week (w/w) in the five regions defined by AISI:

  • Northeast – 127,000 st (up 2,000 st)
  • Great Lakes – 545,000 st (up 10,000 st)
  • Midwest – 237,000 st (down 4,000 st)
  • South – 787,000 st (down 18,000 st)
  • West – 73,000 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.

Ethan Bernard

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years, starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA. in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.

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