Market Data
December 1, 2025
AISI: Raw steel production edges lower
Written by Brett Linton
The volume of raw steel produced by US mills eased last week, according to the latest figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). This marks the second-lowest weekly production rate seen since May.
Domestic production was estimated at 1,736,000 short tons (st) of raw steel in the week ending Nov. 29, down 25,000 st, or 1.4%, from the previous week (Figure 1). Output has generally trended lower following the three-and-a-half-year high of 1,800,000 st set in August.
Last week’s production was 0.5% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,727,000 st and 7.7% higher than the same week one year earlier. YTD production now totals 82,394,000 st, up 3.3% from the same period last year.
The mill capability utilization rate was 75.8% last week. This is down from the week prior (76.9%), but greater than the same week last year (72.6%). Capability utilization has averaged 76.9% YTD.
Raw production decreased week over week (w/w) in four of the five AISI defined regions:
- Northeast – 115,000 st (down 7,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 513,000 st (down 8,000 st)
- Midwest – 254,000 st (down 6,000 st)
- South – 794,000 st (down 10,000 st)
- West – 60,000 st (up 6,000 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.
